Pauly's Legacy: A new baby

A month after the death of chart-topping singer Pauly Fuemana, his widow Kirstine has revealed that she is pregnant with his child.

The Otara Millionaires Club (OMC) singer, who grew rich from his 1995 global hit song "How Bizarre", died in Auckland last month, aged 40, of causes that remain a mystery. He was survived by five children – three boys and two girls – but before his death had begun planning for his sixth.

Kirstine, who first met Fuemana in a record store, told the Sunday Star-Times she was expecting Fuemana's child in August. Despite her grief at the loss of her husband, she was "over the moon" at the prospect of another child.

"Pauly found out the news a few weeks before he died," Kirstine said. "He was so rapt; his kids meant everything to him."

She was not concerned at the prospect of raising her new child on her own. "I've got a lot of support, I'm very lucky."

Kirstine said she did not know if she was expecting a boy or girl and was reluctant say whether a boy would be named after his father.

"Pauly and I did discuss that and we made a decision, but I can't say what that is."

Fuemana's brother Tony said he was pleased at the news of a new nephew or niece. "I feel good mate, real good. We will all rally together for her in the same way we did with the funeral. Being a family is important, it's part of our culture.

"They were very, very close. She was his saving grace; amongst all his turmoil, she was the one thing that was consistent, and that's a big credit to her.

"I'm not too sure if a new baby was a planned thing, but it happened for them at a good time. They had come through a lot and were planning for a bright future."

Pauly Fuemana's $11 million hit single brought him wealth and fame beyond the dreams of an underprivileged South Auckland background. But he later battled depression and struggled with the pressures of fame. Friends said he became surrounded by "sharks" and "yes-men" who liked him for his money and "enabled" his abuse of drugs and alcohol. He also fell out with close associates such as Alan Jansson, who co-wrote OMC's hits. By 2002 much of the money had gone and three years later the Fuemanas were bankrupt.

Tony Fuemana – a former radio broadcaster and movie director – said the family were still awaiting an appointment with his brother's doctor to get answers as to why he died so young.

"We have no new answers. We heard from a lot of experts at the time he died and they said what they thought it was, but none of the information was concrete."

Tony Fuemana said knowing why his brother died will allow the family to move on. "We want some headway on this, especially for Kirstine. She needs peace to know if it could have been reversible or not. I'm happy to let it lie, but I want to find out for Kirstine."

He said his brother's death allowed New Zealanders to see another side of the music industry.

"It is not a place for the faint-hearted. You have to have a tough skin and, regardless of who you think you are, it will cut you down if you don't play the game."

- © Fairfax NZ News