A diva who has crossed international cinema, a millionaire fortune and a legal battle which in recent years has transformed her life into a family drama followed by the whole of Italy. It was born from this story “Gina Lollobrigida: Disputed Diva”the first original Italian docu-series by HBO Maxavailable from April 3, 2026 with three episodes released immediately in binge.
The project reconstructs what has been defined as the truth “Gina Lollobrigida case”one of the most controversial stories in recent Italian news: a mix of accusations, trials and family tensions that accompanied the last years of the life of the legendary actress, who passed away in 2023.
The docu-series tells the story of the diva not only as an icon of international cinema, but also as a multifaceted artist — actress, photographer, sculptor and painter — symbol of female independence that has spanned generations.
The story focuses above all on the last phase of his life, when around the management of his — esteemed — assets between 10 and 20 million euros — a complex legal battle opens.
Contending for the star’s economic, artistic and moral legacy are three central figures in the story: his son Milko Skofic, her self-styled husband Francisco Javier Rigau And the manager and factotum Andrea Piazzolla.
In the last years of Lollobrigida’s life, the conflict between these figures turns into a vortex of accusations, suspicions of manipulation and judicial clasheswith a story that quickly becomes a media sensation.
Between courts, accusations and a missing heritage
One of the most delicate points addressed by the docu-series concerns the management of the diva’s assets and the role of her manager Andrea Piazzollaaccused of circumvention of incapable person and of having stolen assets from the star.
In 2019 he was appointed a support administratorwhile Piazzolla comes in 2023 sentenced in first instance to three years’ imprisonmentin addition to compensation of 500 thousand eurosfor taking advantage of the actress’s fragility.
The legal matter, however, is not yet concluded and remains open for subsequent levels of judgement.
The series also explores one of the most enigmatic elements of the case: the disappearance of a large part of the diva’s assetswith the hypothesis of funds transferred abroad — perhaps a Panama — which still fuel questions and controversies.
Testimonies, unreleased audio and never-told backstories
“Gina Lollobrigida: Disputed Diva” is based on one detailed reconstruction of judicial documentsaccompanied by exclusive testimonials and audio never heard before.
Among the protagonists who participate in the story are some of the figures directly involved in the story: Rigau, Skofic, Piazzolla and his nephew Dimitrioffering different points of view on a story that has divided a family and sparked public debate.
The result is an alternating narrative biographical portrait and judicial chronicleshowing how the life of one of the greatest icons of Italian cinema has transformed, in recent years, into a real contemporary melodrama.
The first original Italian docu-series on HBO Max
The project also marks an important step for the platform: “Gina Lollobrigida: Disputed Diva” is in fact the first original Italian docu-series produced for HBO Max.
The series is produced by Indigo Stories with Loft Productions.
Manufacturers: Alessandro Lostia And David Perluigiwith Ettore Musco And Luca Motta as a line producer.
The authors are Carlo Altinier And Matteo Billiwith the collaboration of the texts of Elena Martelli, Ilenia Petracalvina, Shaila Risolo and Morena Zapparoli.
The soundtrack is signed by Giorgio Spadaediting from Michele Castelli and Daria Di Maurothe photograph from Luigi Montebello and the direction from Graziano Conversano.
From the April 3with i three episodes available immediatelythe series promises to bring back into the spotlight a story that continues to divide public opinion and the courts: that of the diva who made the world dream and of the legacy that transformed her last season of life into one of the most discussed cases in recent Italian news.
