Nana Mouskouri

Ioánna “Nana” Moúschouri, born on October 13, 1934, in Chania, Crete, Greece, displayed early musical talent, initially studying classical music at the Athens Conservatoire. Her early career took a pivotal turn when she began singing jazz in nightclubs, leading to her expulsion from the Conservatoire. Despite this, her unique vocal style, spanning a range from alto to coloratura mezzo, captured the attention of Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis, who became her mentor. Her breakthrough came in 1961 with the German-language single “Weiße Rosen aus Athen” (“White Roses of Athens”), which sold over a million copies in Germany and became one of her signature tunes. Her ability to sing in multiple languages, including Greek, French, English, German, and Spanish, fueled her international success and broadened her audience.

Mouskouri’s career rapidly expanded globally. In 1962, she released a jazz album produced by Quincy Jones. The following year, she represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest with “À force de prier.” Her collaboration with French composer Michel Legrand led to significant French hits. From 1968 to 1976, she hosted her own BBC television show, “Presenting Nana Mouskouri,” further solidifying her status as an international star. Her distinctive image, including her black-rimmed glasses, resonated with audiences worldwide. She released numerous successful albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including the worldwide hit “Je chante avec toi Liberté” (1981) and “Only Love” (1985), which reached number two on the UK charts and was the theme song for the TV series “Mistral’s Daughter.” Over her career, she has sold an estimated 300 million albums worldwide.

Beyond her musical achievements, Mouskouri has dedicated herself to humanitarian causes. In 1993, she was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, succeeding Audrey Hepburn, and actively participated in fundraising initiatives and advocacy for children. From 1994 to 1999, she served as a Member of the European Parliament for Greece. In 2010, amid the Greek government-debt crisis, she publicly offered to forgo her pension to support the country’s recovery. Her enduring career has been marked by continuous touring and recording, with her latest album, “Fille du soleil,” released in 2002. In 2015, she received the Echo Music Prize for Outstanding Achievement, recognizing her lasting impact on the music industry. In 2024, at 89, she performed the La Marseillaise and the Greek anthem at the Olympic Handover in Athens, showcasing her continued presence in public life.