Marinella, one of Greece’s most celebrated singers, has died at the age of 87, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades.
She had been in declining health since September 2024, when she suffered a stroke and collapsed during a live performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. After four months in hospital, she returned home to continue her recovery.
Born Kyriaki Papadopoulou in Thessaloniki, Marinella was raised in a musically talented refugee family and showed early promise, appearing on radio at just four years old. Her career breakthrough came in 1957 through her collaboration with Stelios Kazantzidis.
The two became both artistic and personal partners, marrying in 1964 before separating two years later. Together, they enjoyed widespread success in Greece and among diaspora communities, touring internationally and performing works by some of the country’s leading composers.
Marinella embarked on a solo career in 1966, working with prominent songwriters and establishing herself as one of the defining voices of Greek music. She later married singer Tolis Voskopoulos in 1973; the couple divorced in 1981.
That same year, she represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the country’s first-ever entrant
