Croatian pop star Severina has broken off the engagement with her fiance Slavko Sajinovic after falling in love with a Serbian millionaire just short before Christmas.

Sparks flew when Severina met one of Serbia's richest men, the so-called "uncrowned king of copper" Milan Popovic at his birthday celebration in Belgrade where the singer was performing.

"She was confused, but she soon recognized what was happening and she did not hesitate for long. She did not want to lie, neither to myself or to her loved ones," said a singer’s close friend who wished to remain anonymous. Severina – known in Croatia as simply Seve – told everything to her now-ex fiancé Sajinovic immediately upon her return to Croatia from Belgrade.

The singer’s manager confirmed the rumours to the daily Vecernji List, saying that Seve could have never stayed in a relationship with one man while loving another.

Milan Popovic has managed to stay out of the media spotlight despite the fact that he is one of the richest men in Serbia as the owner of the firm "Amalko group" involved in copper trade. He is known in public as a charmer and a playboy, who loves to shower his girlfriends with expensive gifts.