In his book The Sun Inside, Al Bano reflects on the transformative impact of his daughter Ylenia’s disappearance on his life and his longstanding relationship with Romina Power, his partner on stage and in life. The celebrated Italian singer recounts that Ylenia’s loss not only shifted his personal world but also altered the dynamic he shared with Romina, a bond known for its strength and depth. As Al Bano explains, the unimaginable tragedy of losing a child introduced a profound grief into their relationship, which initially brought them closer but ultimately became “a severe blow” to their connection.
In the face of this overwhelming loss, Al Bano and Romina coped in contrasting ways. Romina held onto a glimmer of hope, embarking on a journey of travel and spiritual exploration, believing that Ylenia might still return. Al Bano, meanwhile, shouldered the daily responsibilities alone, striving to fulfill the roles of both “father and mother” to their younger children, Cristel and Romina Jr.
The tragedy also attracted intense media scrutiny, adding strain to the couple’s life. The public’s fixation on their grief often felt intrusive and, at times, even harmful. Rumors and accusations emerged, fueled by sensationalist media coverage. Al Bano describes the atmosphere as an “inferno” of baseless stories and outlandish claims. Throughout the 1990s, relentless journalists capitalized on the couple’s suffering, publishing speculative and damaging narratives that haunted Al Bano and Romina during their hardest years.
Amid this chaos, however, the couple found solace in the kindness of others. Al Bano recalls how certain friends offered genuine support—such as Sophia Loren, who reached out to assist in any way she could in the United States, and Silvio Berlusconi, who provided a private plane for Al Bano’s travels. Such gestures reminded him that not all attention was self-serving, though it was overshadowed by the “vultures feeding on lies.”
Some rumors were so absurd they bordered on cruelty. Al Bano recalls how they were even accused of having confined Ylenia at home for publicity. To protect their other children from the media frenzy, Al Bano arranged for Cristel and Romina Jr. to stay with a close friend in Switzerland, away from the relentless media spotlight. He fondly remembers receiving daily faxes with the girls’ drawings—a small connection to keep their spirits up during those harrowing times.
Reflecting on the years following Ylenia’s disappearance, Al Bano acknowledges that the experience irrevocably changed everything. The emotional weight of their loss, combined with the strain of public scrutiny, left lasting marks on his relationship with Romina and his family. The tragedy of losing a child, he shares, is something that never truly fades, forever shaping the lives it touches.
