Nicoletta Romanoff, the Italian actress known for her role in Gabriele Muccino's iconic film Ricordati di me, has recently opened up about her life, sharing painful details regarding the loss of loved ones. In her first book, Come il tralcio alla vite, she reflects on her journey and the profound impact these events have had on her.
In an intimate interview with Corriere della Sera, Romanoff discussed her family, her husband, and her ex-partner Giorgio Pasotti, as well as the tragic death of her brother, Enzo Manfredi Consoli, who committed suicide at the age of 21. This revelation comes as she navigates the complexities of her past and present, revealing her struggles and triumphs.
Born Nicoletta Consolo, Romanoff is a descendant of Russian Tsars, with her mother, Natalija Nikolaevna Romanoff, tracing lineage back to Tsars Nicholas I and Paul I, and Empress Catherine II. She describes her upbringing as steeped in Russian traditions, influenced by her grandfather Nicola, a historian who emphasized the importance of education and cultural heritage. "I received an education attentive to tradition, but the blue blood transferred more at a cultural level," she explained.
Romanoff's grandmother, Sveva della Gherardesca, is related to the House of Savoy, adding to her illustrious family background. She fondly remembers that her great-grandmother's sister was Queen Elena of Montenegro, stating, "With Emanuele Filiberto, we know each other but have never socialized due to age differences. He is older than me." She credits her Russian heritage for instilling in her deep sentiments and spirituality, saying, "Russians have great feelings and depth of soul. I inherited spirituality from them!"
One of the most poignant chapters in her book discusses the day her brother took his life. On May 26, 1997, while preparing for her coming-of-age debut, Romanoff's world shattered. "I was 18 years and 12 days old, and for a long time, I felt mutilated and split in two. Enzo took a part of me, and I had to develop a part of him to help my parents survive," she recalled, struggling to comprehend the loss. "There is no explanation. With his death, my world turned upside down, and I needed God even more in my life. I found my peace in the journey of faith."
Romanoff and her brother shared a close bond, often writing long letters to each other after arguments. She reminisced about a childhood trip to Africa when she was 10 and her brother was 13, where he helped her after a spider bite left her with a swollen eye. "He didn’t know how to tell our parents because they would have panicked, so he sought out an Italian dentist staying at the same hotel," she said, laughing at the memory.
Despite her strong faith, Romanoff faced another devastating loss in the summer of 2024 when her father, Giuseppe Consolo, died after a diving accident. "My spiritual solidity crumbled. I thought I was highly vaccinated against pain, but I wasn’t. His death renewed the grief for my brother. I’m still processing it. The anguish is the love you feel and can no longer give," she expressed, highlighting the ongoing struggle with her grief.
Faith remains an integral part of Romanoff's life. "Faith is as essential as eating well and exercising. My spiritual life goes hand in hand with everything else. It’s a daily story of friendship with God. I talk to Him and confide my problems," she said, emphasizing the role of spirituality in her healing process.
Romanoff's journey into the entertainment industry began unexpectedly. At 18, while living in Paris, she contacted a modeling agency but was often rejected for not being tall and thin enough. "But with that talkative nature, you’ll get somewhere!" she recalled, which led her to audition for Muccino's film. Chosen from a pool of 600 girls, she prepared thoroughly for her role, stating, "I knew the part by heart; I could recite my lines backward. Gabriele made me scream many times to release the tension."
In the film, she starred alongside prominent actresses Laura Morante and Monica Bellucci, who she credits with teaching her a great deal. "They were wonderful and taught me so much with delicacy. In one scene, I had to slap Laura. I raised my hand and froze. Gabriele, exasperated, shouted, 'Come on, you have to give her a real slap!' In the end, I delivered a powerful hit. I was mortified," she recalled, reflecting on the challenges of being a newcomer in the industry.
Romanoff's romantic life has also been a significant aspect of her story. She met Giorgio Pasotti in 2004 on the set of the TV series Un anno a primavera, and they were together for over a decade, welcoming their daughter Maria during their relationship. Despite their separation, they maintain a good relationship for the sake of their daughter. "We were a couple. I don’t want to talk much about it. It was an important relationship, and I want to protect it," she stated.
At a young age, Romanoff became a mother, giving birth to her first children, Federico and Gabriele, with her first husband, Federico Scardamaglia. Their marriage lasted from 1999 to 2004. "Becoming a mother so young changed my life. It was a decisive choice that gave me hope," she reflected. On November 24, 2019, she married her current partner, Federico Alverà, in Bolgheri, and they welcomed their fourth daughter, Anna. Their love story has deep roots, as they discovered they had known each other since childhood, with their grandparents living in the same building. "For us, it was more of a reconnection, a friendship that solidified into the person I chose for my life," she concluded.