Allegra Versace said to be anorexic

NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- Allegra Versace, a niece of the late Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace, is being treated for anorexia, her family confirmed Wednesday.

Donatella Versace and her husband, Paul Beck, issued a statement confirming that Allegra Versace, 20, has been battling anorexia for "many years."

"She is receiving the best medical care possible to help overcome this illness and is responding well," said the statement. "As parents, we are doing our best to protect our daughter. However, due to numerous media reports, we want to let everyone know that we appreciate their concern for Allegra, and we ask that her privacy be respected at this time."

Allegra Versace -- who inherited 51 percent of her late uncle's $600 million fashion empire when she turned 18 -- had been studying recently at UCLA.

Earlier reports indicated that Allegra Versace had been hospitalized, but a representative for the family said Wednesday that she is at her home and her health "gives no cause for any concern."

Donatella Versace and Beck said earlier quotes attributed to them in various press accounts "do not in any way correspond to the truth."

A press representative said the family is initiating legal proceedings against newspapers that have published "false and tendentious stories, provoking speculation about a human and private problem and moreover breaching the right to personal privacy."

The family requested that Allegra Versace's privacy be respected while she is being treated.