Eurovision icon Marinella died at the age of 87 on Saturday, March 28. The star represented Greece in the first year they entered the song contest in 1974. She took to the stage in the host city, Brighton, singing "Krasi, thalassa kai t' agori mou" (Wine, sea and my boyfriend) and placed 11th as ABBA won with "Waterloo". Her family confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement, which read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Marinella, our beloved mother and grandmother, who passed away at her home today, 28 March 2026, at 6pm.

While they did not reveal a cause of death, it came a year and a half after she suffered a devastating stroke on stage during a performance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in September 2024. The star was taking part in a show celebrating her seven-decade career when she dramatically collapsed during her third song of the night Words Are Unnecessary, which was one of her biggest hits.

She was rushed to a private hospital, where she was diagnosed with a severe and widespread hemorrhagic stroke. Shespent 21 days in intensive care and four months in total in hospital before returning home on 21 January 2025. However, she never fully recovered.

The star, born Kyriaki Papadopoulou in 1938 in Thessaloniki, became one of the most celebrated artists in Greek popular folk music. Throughout her career, which began in 1956, she released 66 solo albums.

Explaining why she continued to work well into her 80s she told Lifo magazine: "I don't care about age. My years never concerned me. For me, a birth date is just a number for the registry office and nothing more. It angers me that people today grumble constantly. A sense of misery, apathy, and envy prevails. I watch people let life pass them by while they look the other way."

Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as fans learned of her death. Writing on Facebook, one person penned: "grew up listening to her. She was one of my favourite singers of all time. As a southern Italian, she held a very special place in my heart and she always will. May her memory be eternal."

Another added: "R.I.P. I met her in 1979 at Athens airport, we spoke for 5 minutes. She was surprised that I was from Australia, and I recognised her."

A third chimed in: "She was one of my all-time absolute favourite Greek singers! She was a true legend & Icon may she rest in peace and may her memory be forever eternal and everlasting!"

A fourth shared: "We have lost another amazing icon in music may she rest in peace and her memory be eternal." A fifth commented: "So sad may she RIP. Her beautiful voice and songs will still go on long after her passing. Something to remember her by forever."

Meanwhile, a sixth lamented: "Rest in peace to the beloved mother of Greece, Marinella, who shared her music wholeheartedly and was cherished by the entire nation."