София Ротару
Sofia Rotaru
Personal life
- Born: August 7, 1947
- Birthplace: Marshyntsi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Occupation: Singer, actress
- Years active: 1965–present
- Spouse(s): Anatoliy Evdokymenko (1968–2002; his death)
- Children: Ruslan Evdokymenko
Early life and career
Sofia Rotaru was born on August 7, 1947, in the village of Marshyntsi, Chernivtsi Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union. She is the second of six children born to Moldovan parents, Mikhail Fedorovich Rotaru and Alexandra Ivanovna Rotaru. Rotaru began singing at a young age, and in 1962, she won a regional talent competition. In 1964, she was accepted into the Chernivtsi Music College, where she studied for two years.
In 1968, Rotaru released her first album, "Sofia Rotaru". The album was a success, and it helped to establish Rotaru as a popular singer in the Soviet Union. In the following years, Rotaru released a number of successful albums, including "Chervona Ruta" (1971), "Sontsya Den" (1973), and "Ballady o Lyubvi" (1974).
International success
In the 1980s, Rotaru began to achieve international success. She appeared in the Soviet film "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears" (1980), which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Rotaru also performed at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
In 1985, Rotaru released her first English-language album, "Sofia Rotaru". The album was a success in Europe, and it helped to establish Rotaru as a major international star. In the following years, Rotaru released a number of successful English-language albums, including "The Rose of the Winds" (1987), "Sofia Rotaru's Greatest Hits" (1990), and "Only Love" (1993).
Later career
In the 1990s and 2000s, Rotaru continued to be a popular singer in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet republics. She also released a number of successful albums, including "Ya Ne Obozhu Tebe" (1995), "A New Day" (1997), and "The Best" (2002).
In 2002, Rotaru's husband, Anatoliy Evdokymenko, died of a heart attack. Rotaru was devastated by his death, and she took a break from her career for several years.
In 2007, Rotaru returned to the stage. She released a new album, "Ya Verilas'", and she began touring again. Rotaru has continued to be a popular singer in recent years, and she has released a number of successful albums, including "Sofia Rotaru: The Golden Collection" (2010), "Sofia Rotaru: The Best" (2015), and "The One and Only" (2018).
Awards and honors
Sofia Rotaru has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. She has won the State Prize of the Ukrainian SSR (1981), the People's Artist of the USSR (1988), and the Order of Friendship (1997). Rotaru has also been awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (2002), the Order of Princess Olga (2007), and the Order of Liberty (2010).
Legacy
Sofia Rotaru is one of the most popular singers in the former Soviet Union. She has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and she has won numerous awards and honors. Rotaru is known for her powerful voice, her emotional performances, and her ability to connect with her audience. She is a true icon of Russian and Ukrainian music, and her music will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
