Dora Moroni’s Life-Transforming Journey After Corrado’s Incident
Dora Moroni, once a rising star of Italian television and music, shared her poignant story of survival following the devastating accident with famous television host Corrado Mantoni. During an interview with Corriere della Sera, Moroni recounted how the events of July 13, 1978, altered her life forever.
At just 23 years old, Moroni was gaining popularity through her appearances on show Domenica IN, co-hosted with Corrado. Returning from an event at Civitavecchia, tragedy struck when Corrado’s car crashed against the guardrail on the Roma-Civitavecchia highway. This horrific incident not only put Moroni's life on the line but drastically changed her career path.
While sleeping on the back seat of the Lancia Gamma, Dora was thrown from the vehicle upon impact, resulting in severe injuries. She fell unconscious and spent six weeks in coma, during which she experienced heartbreaking challenges. Upon regaining consciousness, she was met with the harsh reality of her condition; she couldn’t speak, nor could she walk.
“I woke up at San Giovanni Hospital, hearing my mother’s voice,” Moroni recalled. “I couldn’t talk or walk, but I discovered later. The doctors told me, even if I survived, I would be like a vegetable.”
Moroni’s reflections brought her to the memory of her time spent comatose; she described it as being enveloped by light, surrounded by beautiful tall white trees, like cypress. “I was alone, happy, calm, and secure. I understood then death doesn't exist. Since then, I have not feared death; on the contrary, I would like to die,” she shared candidly.
The emotional scars from the accident go far beyond physical recovery. Moroni expressed her disappointment and hurt over Corrado’s behavior after the accident. She criticized him for the lack of emotional support and absence of apologies, stating, “He came to see me once a week at the hospital, then never again. He hasn’t said anything to me.” This absence of support added to the trauma of her recovery.
Moroni’s career came to a sudden halt following the incident. The once-promising singer and television star faced financial struggles, lacking compensation due to the absence of mandatory insurance for passengers at the time. “I faced many difficulties, even risking losing my home,” she revealed.
While Dora faced darkness, she found some light through the support of her colleagues, including Donatella Rettore, Mara Venier, and Barbara D’Urso, who extended their hands during her recovery, helping her navigate professional and personal turmoil.
Years later, the haunting memories of the accident still linger but they have led to self-discovery. Despite her struggles with chronic pain and her inability to return to the spotlight fully, Moroni found solace and healing. She shared the importance of her new perspective on life, one shaped by her near-death experience.
Moroni did not just emerge from the shadows of her past; she transformed her life post-accident. At 70, she finds joy with her son Alfredo, other friends, and her pets, Alfred and Marti. She expressed the void within her heart after the accidents and life changes, stating the enduring challenges presented by health and mobility issues.
Reflecting on her relationship with Corrado, inserted within her recollection of the accident, Moroni articulated, “It disappointed me to see Corrado move on, choosing my replacement. I couldn't do much, I couldn’t walk or speak, what could I do on television?”
Despite her anger upon waking, where she felt compelled to lash out at her mother's persistent prayers for her recovery, she gradually embraced her life again. Though she no longer seeks romantic partners, she treasures her bonds with family and friends.
“It’s not easy to find someone who’ll be by my side with all my health issues,” she stated. “I’ve resigned myself to my situation. I keep up appearances and take care of myself,” underscoring her resilience and determination.
Dora Moroni’s account not only highlights the trials she endured but also the extraordinary strength she found within. From the accident and coma to her rebirth, she showed how one person’s spirit can shine brightly even after life’s most harrowing twists.
Years down the line, she maintains no resentment against Corrado, emphasizing the lessons learned rather than the grievances held. With newfound clarity and reduced fear of mortality, Moroni embodies the message of hope and strength, rendering her life’s narrative as inspiring as it is poignant.
Through conversation and reflection, Dora Moroni proves herself not just as a survivor of physical trauma, but as someone who has found peace and happiness amid the remnants of her turbulent past.