Gigliola Cinquetti
Early Life
Gigliola Cinquetti was born on 20th December 1947 in Verona, Italy. She was the eldest of four children in her family. Her father was a journalist and her mother was a housewife. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in music and began taking singing lessons at the age of seven.
Career
Cinquetti's career began when she won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1964 at the age of 16 with the song "Non ho l'età". This victory led to her representing Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest the same year, which she won, making her the second Italian to win the contest.
In 1966, Cinquetti released her first album, titled "Gigliola Cinquetti", which was a commercial success. She continued to release music throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including hits such as "Dio, come ti amo" and "La pioggia".
In addition to her singing career, Cinquetti also worked as a television presenter for RAI, Italy's national public broadcasting company. She hosted several popular shows, including "Studio Uno" and "Canzonissima".
Cinquetti returned to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with the song "Si", which came in second place. Despite not winning, the song became a hit in several European countries.
In the 1980s, Cinquetti shifted her focus to television, hosting a number of shows on RAI. She also continued to release music, albeit less frequently.
Personal Life
Cinquetti married journalist Luciano Teodori in 1979. The couple have two children together. Cinquetti is known for being private about her personal life and rarely discusses it in interviews.
Legacy
Cinquetti is considered one of Italy's most successful and beloved singers. Her victory at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 is seen as a defining moment in Italian music history. She has been praised for her powerful voice and her ability to convey emotion through her music.