Lory Del Santo, the renowned Italian showgirl and actress, has lived through incredible highs and unfathomable lows, with the tragic losses of three of her children marking the most heart-wrenching chapters of her life. Each story of her life is intertwined with the pain of motherhood and the struggles of her past, framing Del Santo not just as a celebrity but as a resilient figure facing the specter of loss.
Her harrowing experience began with the loss of her first son, Conor, born from her passionate yet complicated relationship with legendary guitarist Eric Clapton. The pair met in Italy during the mid-1980s, igniting a love affair amid Clapton’s marriage to Pattie Boyd. Their relationship, though intense and passionate, had its consequences, leading to the birth of Conor in 1986. Sadly, just five years later, the young boy's life was tragically cut short when he fell from the 53rd floor of a New York City skyscraper where he had been staying with Del Santo. A hotel maid had mistakenly left the window open, leading to the boy’s tragic plunge. “It’s like being buried alive,” said Del Santo, recalling her overwhelming grief. “If you don’t move forward, you fall back.”
The song "Tears in Heaven" became part of this tragedy's legacy, penned by Clapton as he dealt with the loss of his son. Just before Conor's death, Clapton had planned to take the boy out for lunch, only to receive the devastating news via telephone. The collision of love and loss was stark, leaving both parents shattered.
Years later, the sorrow deepened as Lory faced yet another tragedy—the suicide of her son Loren at just 19 years old. Loren, who struggled with the psychological disorder of anhedonia, shared glimpses of happiness on social media but was silently enduring pain. Del Santo, who had fought to support him through various hardships, stated, “His brain shut down...I didn’t tell him I loved him the last time I saw him, which is something I regret deeply.” It is clear how the loss affected both her and her surviving son, Devin, the only child left alive from her three offspring.
Devin, born from Del Santo’s relationship with Silvio Sardi, has also felt the sharp sting of loss. Del Santo chose to keep Sardi distant from Devin, complicate their relationship, and speak candidly about the emotional toll of such grief. After the loss of his brothers, Devin expressed feeling as though he could not endure without them, according to his mother. “He said he didn’t want to live without them,” Del Santo recounted. Fortunately, their bond remained strong, allowing them to support one another amid their shared sorrow.
Reflecting on her upbringing adds another layer of depth to Del Santo’s narrative. Growing up with her single mother Clorinda after losing her father, Antonio, to a tragic car accident left its mark. Clorinda's stern demeanor and lack of affection left Del Santo with scars of emotional neglect. She often recalls moments from her childhood: “I never had toys. For Christmas, I received just a mandarin.” This lack of maternal affection and family warmth instilled resilience and strength, qualities Del Santo would later channel as she faced motherhood.
Through these layers of heartbreak, we also see Del Santo’s life filled with numerous romantic entanglements alongside her personal tragedies. From iconic relationships with figures such as Eric Clapton to the more tempestuous affair with Silvio Sardi, Lory’s romantic life has been varied. During her time with Sardi, she experienced both passion and turbulence, resulting from his violent behavior, which left their relationship fleeting. She later found love again with Marco Cucolo, someone significantly younger than she, bringing stability to her turbulent emotional world.
“It’s about freedom, tranquility, and being honest with one another,” she shared about her current relationship, where mutual respect and compromise take precedence. Cucolo has stood by Del Santo during her most painful moments, including the death of Loren, offering emotional support and empathy during her darkest days.
Del Santo's narrative is marked by resilience. She continues to thrive as she engages with her audience and share her emotional experiences. Her story of survival offers insight not just to her fans but to anyone who has had to cope with loss and adversity. Through public engagements, she continues to honor the memory of her children, infusing her life’s challenges with strength and hope.
Her fervent advocacy and ability to convey her story campaigns not just for her narrative but for all who grieve and share similar experiences. Lory Del Santo is more than just the glamorous showgirl of Italian television; she is the embodiment of endurance and acceptance amid sorrow. Through her struggles and resilience, she inspires those who face loss, reminding them they are not alone.
