Greek singer Marinella, who represented Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest, died Saturday at the age of 87.
A legend of Greek music
Marinella, born Kyriaki Papadopoulou in Thessaloniki, had a career that spanned decades in Greek music. She died on March 28, 2026, following health complications that began with a stroke she suffered during a live performance in September 2024.
The singer collapsed on stage at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and was hospitalized for several months. She was later discharged to continue recovery at home.
Marinella began performing at a young age, appearing on radio as a child. She rose to prominence in 1957 through a collaboration with singer Stelios Kazantzidis. The pair recorded and performed together in Greece and abroad.
She launched a solo career in 1966 and continued recording and performing for decades. Over the course of her career, she released dozens of albums and remained active in live performance into her later years.
The first Greek contestant at Eurovision
In 1974, Marinella represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Krasi, thalassa kai t’ agori mou,” marking the country’s first participation in the competition. She finished 11th in the final.
Her Eurovision appearance came during the contest held in Brighton, United Kingdom, where Sweden won with the song “Waterloo” performed by ABBA.
Marinella continued to perform in concerts and theater and took part in major cultural events in Greece, including performances tied to national celebrations.
In interviews, she spoke about her approach to performance, saying she focused on connecting with audiences during live shows. She also reflected on her personal life and career in later years.
Marinella is regarded as a leading figure in Greek popular music and among the first artists to represent the country on the Eurovision stage.
The thoughts of the entire team at ESCXTRA are with Marinella’s friends and family in these difficult times, as well as with her large community of fans in Greece and accross the world.
