Ornella Vanoni, iconic Italian Singer and Actress, Dies at 91
Milan, Italy – May 29, 2024 – ornella Vanoni, a towering figure in Italian music and entertainment, has died at the age of 91. The news was confirmed today, following recent acknowledgement of health problems. Italy’s Ministry of Culture hailed Vanoni as “one of the most original and refined artists,” whose influence will resonate through song, theatre, and national entertainment for generations to come.
Born September 22, 1934, in Milan, to Nino and Mariuccia Vanoni, the artist spent her formative years partly in Switzerland, France, and England. Initially considering a career in cosmetology, Vanoni discovered her artistic calling after studying acting at the Piccolo Teatro under the direction of Giorgio Strehler – who also became her mentor and a significant love in her life. she debuted as an actress in 1956 in Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author, and a year later began her musical journey exploring the underworld songs of Milan, earning her the nickname “cantante della mala.”
The 1960s cemented Vanoni’s stardom. She recorded enduring hits like Endless and What is There (written by Gino Paoli), and triumphed at the Naples festival in 1964 with You are a Big Thing. A frequent presence at the Sanremo Music Festival, she achieved second place in 1968 with White House, and also competed in 1967 (The Music is Over), 1970 (Eternity), and subsequent years. Her musical versatility extended to bossa nova, jazz, and collaborations with international luminaries including George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Vinicius de Moraes, Toquinho, Eros Ramazzotti, and Renato Zero.
Over a career spanning more than seventy years, Vanoni released approximately 112 albums and compilations, selling an estimated 50 to 65 million records. She also appeared in film and television productions such as Perilous loves and Europe Sings, and famously posed for the Italian edition of Playboy.
Vanoni’s personal life was as captivating as her career. She shared deep connections with four men, including Strehler and Gino Paoli, with whom she had a famously “stormy relationship.” She married producer Lucio Ardenzi in 1960, with whom she had her only son, Cristiano, but the couple separated in 1972 - a union Vanoni later admitted lacked love.
According to reports from IlSussidiario and TPI, Vanoni suffered a fatal heart attack at her home in the Via Pietro Micca area at 11 p.m.on Friday. Emergency services were unable to revive her.her last television appearances were on Amici 25 on November 9 and What’s the Whether Like? on November 2, where she acknowledged masking her declining health.
Ornella Vanoni leaves behind a monumental legacy in Italian culture – a catalog of over a hundred albums and a songbook that defined an era. Her signature style, a blend of sophistication, elegance, and unflinching honesty, established her as a national and international icon. Her music continued to evolve, with the release of the album Unique featuring Rainbow in 2021.
With her passing on May 29, 2024, Italy and the world have lost a truly unique voice.
