LOADING

Type to search

Entertainer Caterina Valente, who sang in 11 languages, dies at 93

Share

The multilingual singer Caterina Valente has recently passed away, according to a spokesperson. The performer was 93.

Valente was an Italian-French-German multilingual singer, guitarist and dancer. She spoke six languages and sang in 11.

The performer, who became a star across Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, died peacefully at her house in the Swiss city of Lugano.

Valente was born in Paris in 1931 to Italian parents. In addition to Italian, she sang in a number of languages, including English, French, and German. In Italy she is best remembered for her Italian rendition of Lloyd Price’s 1959 hit single “Personality.”

She achieved major success in Germany with hits including “Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe,” “Ciao, Ciao, Bambina” and “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Honolulu Strandbikini.” She also recorded “Personalita,” which was released in 1960 as “Personality,” and became a popular song covered by other artists here in the U.S.

After winning Germany’s Bambi media award in 2005, she retired from public life but remained active on social media. Late in life, she commented on Facebook: “Old age is not for weaklings.”

Valente’s funeral was private and no further ceremonies or memorial services are planned.

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

Keep a pulse on local food, art, and entertainment content when you join our Italian-American Herald Newsletter.