Entertainment · Celebrity · 1 hr ago
Francesco Totti says he feared dying during severe Covid illness
Francesco Totti says he feared he would die from Covid in autumn 2020, according to his new autobiography.
The former Roma captain fell ill weeks after his father, Enzo, died of the virus at age 76.
Totti says he developed pneumonia, struggled to breathe and was isolated at home as his condition worsened.
He called his children and told them he might not survive, afraid he would die as his father had.
Pier Silvio Berlusconi offered the help of his doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, and Totti says he received care until he recovered.
He also says the illness still affects his breathing.
His account describes the lasting effects of a severe Covid infection, as well as the fear and grief he faced during the pandemic.
Francesco Totti says he feared dying during a severe bout of Covid in autumn 2020, weeks after his father died of the virus.
He developed pneumonia, fever and breathing difficulties while isolating in a room at home.
Totti says he called his children and told them he did not know whether he would survive.
He contracted the virus after a private screening of a film about his life, according to his account.
He recounts the illness in his recently released autobiography and says he still cannot breathe as well as before.
- Who
- Francesco Totti, former Roma captain and player.
- What
- He says severe Covid left him fearing he would die.
- When
- Autumn 2020, a few weeks after his father died; the account appears in his recently released autobiography.
- Where
- In a room at his home.
- Why
- He contracted Covid after a private screening attended by family and friends, according to his account.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Totti’s father Enzo died at age 76 after contracting Covid.
Totti contracted Covid after a private screening of a film about his life, according to his account.
Totti developed a fever, breathing difficulties and bilateral pneumonia while isolating at home.
Totti’s condition had not improved, according to the account.
- Father
- Enzo Totti died on 12 October 2020, aged 76
- Illness
- Totti had bilateral pneumonia and a fever of up to 39 degrees
- Screening
- A private showing of a film about Totti’s life preceded the reported infection
- Family
- Cristian and Chanel had mild symptoms; Isabel did not contract the virus
- Book
- Totti recounts the illness in his recently released autobiography
3 sources
Totti: «Ho avuto paura di morire, così ho chiamato i miei figli e gli ho detto: Non so se ce la farò». Poi la telefonata di Pier Silvio...
Totti racconta il Covid nell’autobiografia: la polmonite, il rifiuto del ricovero e l’aiuto di Zangrillo
Francesco Totti e il Covid, dopo la morte del padre ha detto ai figli: "Non so se ce la farò"
What people are saying
I had a terrible fear of dying like Dad.
I don’t know if I’ll make it.
People were suffering, suffocating, dying. All the so-called experts had their say; the truth is that nobody understood a thing.
I still can’t breathe as well as before.