ITALIAN football legend Salvatore Schillaci has died at the age of 59.
The Palermo-born striker leaves behind his wife Barbara and three children Jessica, Mattia and Nicole after losing a two-year battle to colon cancer, which he was diagnosed in 2022.
Barbara Lombardi is an Italian dentist, and widow to the former Italian football legend, Salvatore Schillaci, who died at the age of 59.
Salvatore Schillaci, who is affectionately known as “Toto” was a famous striker who played for Messina, Juventus, Inter Milan over the course of his career.
He scored 37 goals across 120 appearances in Serie A, while he also won the UEFA Cup twice.
One of her husband’s most memorable moments was winning the World Cup Golden Boot during the Italia 90 tournament, as the leading goalscorer.
Schillaci retired in 1999, and returned to his native home of Palermo with his wife where they owned a youth football academy.
Her husband had previously been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022 and had undergone two operations.
Fears about his health mounted in early September after Schillaci was admitted to the Civico hospital in Palermo after reportedly suffering from pneumonia.
His death was announced on September 18, 2024.
Barbara married the World Cup legend in 2012, and he is survived by his three children who he shared with ex-wife, Rita Bonaccorso; Jessica Schillaci, Mattia Schillaci and Nicole Schillaci.
Not much is reported on Barbara because she lived a life outside of the public eye as a devoted wife to her late husband.
