Carola Standertskjöld
Early Life
Carola Christina Standertskjöld-Liemola, known professionally as Carola Standertskjöld, was born on November 23, 1941, in Helsinki, Finland. She was the daughter of Carl Standertskjöld, a Finnish baron, and his wife, Brita Standertskjöld. Carola's early life was marked by her family's noble status and the cultural richness of her surroundings, which would later influence her musical career.
Career
Carola began her career as a jazz singer in the late 1950s, performing in various nightclubs in Helsinki. Her unique voice, combined with her ability to sing in several languages, quickly caught the attention of the Finnish music industry. In 1962, she recorded her first single, "Muistojeni laulu", which became a hit in Finland. This success marked the beginning of Carola's rise to fame.
In the mid-1960s, Carola transitioned from jazz to pop music. Her first pop single, "Kielletyt leikit", was a Finnish version of the Italian song "Le gioie della vita". This song became a massive hit, and Carola became a household name in Finland. Throughout the 1960s, she continued to release successful pop songs and became known as the "Finnish Queen of Pop".
Carola's success was not limited to Finland. She also gained recognition in other Nordic countries and even represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1965. Although she did not win the contest, her performance was highly praised, and her song "Mun sydämeni tänne jää" became a classic in Finnish pop music.
In the 1970s, Carola faced personal challenges that affected her career. Despite these difficulties, she managed to maintain her popularity and continued to perform and record music. In the 1980s, she made a successful comeback with the album "Rakkauden jälkeen", which included some of her most famous songs such as "Sydämeen jäi soimaan blues" and "Rakkauden jälkeen".
Carola's career spanned over four decades, during which she released numerous albums and singles, and performed in countless concerts. Her contribution to Finnish pop music has been significant, and she remains one of the most beloved singers in Finland.
Personal Life
Carola was known for her private nature. She was married to Heikki Liemola, a Finnish businessman, from 1965 until their divorce in 1971. They had one son together. Despite her fame, Carola managed to keep her personal life away from the public eye.
In the late 1970s, Carola faced several personal challenges, including her divorce and struggles with alcoholism. These issues affected her career, but she managed to overcome them and make a successful comeback in the 1980s.
Carola passed away on November 11, 1997, in Helsinki, at the age of 55. Her death was a significant loss to the Finnish music industry.
Legacy
Carola's legacy in Finnish pop music is significant. She was one of the first Finnish singers to gain international recognition, and her songs continue to be popular in Finland. Her unique voice and ability to sing in several languages set her apart from other Finnish singers of her time.
Carola was posthumously awarded the Emma Award for her contribution to Finnish music. Her music continues to be played on Finnish radio, and her songs are covered by new generations of Finnish singers.