👉 Discover Paola's Greatest Hits of All-Time
About Rita Sakellariou
Early Life
Rita Sakellariou (1934–1999) was born Margarita Sakellariou on October 22, 1934, in Chamezi, a village near Sitia on the island of Crete, the eldest of three children. Her father, a shoemaker from Kalymnos, was killed in the 1946–49 Greek Civil War after the family had moved to Piraeus, leaving them destitute. She left school at twelve to help support the family, selling bread and lemons from a street barrow, and married at fourteen in an early escape from poverty that ultimately didn't last; she went on to work in factories to support her two children.
Musical Style & Sound
Musically untrained but possessing what has been described as an inimitable, deeply emotional voice, Sakellariou began singing in Piraeus taverns where rebetiko music was performed, establishing herself firmly within the Laïko tradition of urban folk song.
Career Rise
An introduction to composer and bouzouki player Vassilis Tsitsanis proved the turning point in Sakellariou's career, launching her into professional recording. Her first solo album, "Kathe Iliovasilema," was released in 1970, followed by her most successful record, "Istoria Mou," in 1972, which included her signature song "Istoria Mou, Amartia Mou." Her admirers came to include shipping magnates Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, actor Anthony Quinn, and Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou, who credited her ballads with helping him win elections. In 1969, she met wrestler Stefanos Sidiropoulos, whom she married the following year; together they opened the Queen Ann nightclub, which became a popular gathering place for political figures and celebrities. Despite the shifting musical trends of the 1980s and 1990s, she remained active until being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1998. She died on August 6, 1999, at sixty-four.
Diaspora Impact
Sakellariou's rise from extreme poverty to national icon, and her deep grounding in the rebetiko and Laïko traditions of Piraeus, give her music lasting resonance with diaspora communities connected to that formative era of Greek urban song. Her legendary status among Greece's political and cultural elite further cemented her catalog as part of the essential canon that diaspora audiences associate with mid-century Greek Laïko.
FAQ
What genre did Rita Sakellariou sing?
Rita Sakellariou performed Laïko, having begun singing in Piraeus taverns where rebetiko music was performed, giving her a deep grounding in that urban folk tradition.
How did Rita Sakellariou become famous?
An introduction to composer and bouzouki player Vassilis Tsitsanis proved the turning point in her career, launching her into professional recording with her first solo album, "Kathe Iliovasilema," in 1970.
What is Rita Sakellariou's most famous song?
Her most successful record, "Istoria Mou" (1972), included her signature song "Istoria Mou, Amartia Mou."
Who were Rita Sakellariou's famous admirers?
Her admirers included shipping magnates Aristotle Onassis and Stavros Niarchos, actor Anthony Quinn, and Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou, who credited her ballads with helping him win elections.
Did Rita Sakellariou own a nightclub?
Yes. She and her husband, wrestler Stefanos Sidiropoulos, opened the Queen Ann nightclub, which became a popular gathering place for political figures and celebrities.
Where can I listen to Rita Sakellariou?
You can stream her music on GetGreece Radio, along with other defining voices of classic Greek Laïko.
About
Rita Sakellariou became an icon of the 70s and 80s, famously known as the favorite singer of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. Her raw, powerful voice and commanding presence made her the queen of the "bouzoukia." In 2025, her life story was adapted into a hit musical in Athens. By 2026, she is remembered as a symbol of the bold, unapologetic era of Greek nightlife and the "heavy" Laïkó style.
Diaspora Impact
Iconic among the older generation of the diaspora for her emotional delivery and connection to the "golden age" of Athens.
