Greek lover’s legal action over George Giannaros’ estate

The lover a late Sydney soccer boss has launched legal action from Greece claiming he promised to buy her an apartment.

George Giannaros was a major figure in Sydney soccer.

A western Sydney soccer legend sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to his secret Greek sugar baby before he died from cancer, paving the way for an explosive court battle over his estate.

The estate of former Sydney Olympic Football Club president George Giannaros is now at the centre of a NSW Supreme Court battle after his Greek lover launched the action claiming he promised to buy her an apartment in Athens.

The move has blindsided Mr Giannaros’ family who knew nothing of the affair until the court case was lodged.

The woman, Angela Bardi, told the court she had paid a deposit on the apartment based on Mr Giannaros’ word but was now at risk of losing it if she did not pay the balance.

Bardi claimed Mr Giannaros had guaranteed that he would cover the balance of the property sale but the transaction was never completed because he died from cancer in 2023.

George Giannaros (right) pictured with Anthony Albanese at Belmore Sportsground

The court was told last week the pair began a sexual relationship from 2018 and it was not in dispute that Mr Giannaros had transferred her $337,000 over three years.

Mr Giannaros’ wife of almost 30 years, Kelly, was the sole beneficiary of his estate and his will made no provision for Ms Bardi.

The court was told the evidence in the case “strongly supported” that Mrs Giannaros “knew nothing about Ms Bardi or her relationship with Mr Giannaros until the days before his death.”

In fact, Justice Francois Kunc told the court the marriage was a happy one and that he “took no steps divorce Ms Giannaros despite, on Ms Bardi’s evidence, having (said) that he was going to do so”.

From Greece, Ms Bardi launched an emergency application in the Supreme Court to speed up a payment of up to $600,000 from the estate to pay the balance on the apartment.

Justice Kunc rejected the application for six reasons, which included that the amount of money claimed was not readily available and assets would have to be sold.

The court heard that Mr Giannaros’ estate was worth $1.2 million.

In her legal documents, Mrs Giannaros claimed Ms Bardi’s relationship with her husband did rise to the level that she should legally be provided for under his will.

Justice Kunc told the court Mr Giannaros’ marriage was a happy one.

“There is evidence that Ms Giannaros saved her husband’s life when he suffered a heart attack at the family home on the day of their wedding anniversary on 25 February 2023,” Justice Kunc told the court.

“She later remained with Mr Giannaros throughout his final hospitalisation until his untimely death from cancer,” he told the court.

The court has been told Mr Giannaros had a secret relationship for five years

In the days before he died, Mr Giannaros made a will which left his estate to Ms Giannaros and made no provision for Ms Bardi.

Ms Bardi told the court she is living rent free with her mother in Athens and wanted to open a beauty salon.

Based in South West Sydney, Sydney Olympic is one the city’s biggest semi professional football clubs.

Mr Giannaros was the president of the club from 2009 to 2013.

The case is now set to continue and is listed for a mediation hearing on April 1.