Marinella, one of Greece’s most celebrated singers, died at the age of 87, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades.
Her family announced she will be buried in a private family ceremony at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral on Tuesday. Her body will lie in in state at the chapel of Aghios Eleftherios from 08:00 to 13:00.
The family requested that instead of wreaths, donations be made to ‘Floga’, the Parents’ Association of Children with Cancer.
Marinella had been in declining health and passed from complications from a severe stroke she suffered during a live performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens in September 2024.
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 where she captured hearts around the world.
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.
Source: ANA-MPA
