ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The beloved Greek singer Marinella is currently in a stable but critical condition at an Athens hospital, according to an official statement released Thursday. This comes a day after she experienced a collapse while performing on stage at the historic Herod Atticus theater.
The 86-year-old artist suffered a stroke and is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit for severe brain bleeding, as reported by Hygeia hospital. During her concert, which took place on Wednesday night at the ancient Roman venue situated at the base of the Acropolis, Marinella appeared to lose her balance while singing her third song before staggering and collapsing. The performance, which was also set to feature popular Greek singer Antonis Remos, was subsequently canceled.
Marinella, known for her strong stage presence, has been an iconic figure in Greek music for over sixty years. Born Kyriaki Papadopoulou in Thessaloniki in May 1938, she adopted her stage name early in her career, which began to take shape in the mid-1950s in her hometown. Over the decades, she has remained a household name and continues to capture audiences even into her 80s.
Her passion for performance was evident from a young age; she began singing on a children’s radio program at the age of four or five, where she showcased her talent by performing a piece by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert, as revealed in an interview with Greek publication Lifo published in June.
Throughout her teenage years, Marinella gained experience in a musical theater troupe, touring the Greek countryside. She eventually got her big break when she stepped in to sing for a sick performer during a tour, marking the beginning of her successful singing career.
Marinella made history as the first singer to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, which took place in Brighton, England, the same year ABBA won the competition with “Waterloo.” Known for her flamboyant style, she broke away from the traditional seated performances associated with Greek folk singers by incorporating energetic hand movements and dynamic stage presence into her acts. Her songs, which resonate with themes of love and loss, have remained popular across generations.
