Beloved Italian singer Ornella Vanoni — known worldwide for timeless hits like “Senza Fine” and “L’appuntamento” — has died. According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Vanoni died at her home in Milan, Italy, following cardiac arrest. She was 91.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shared her sadness over the news on X.
Ornella Vanoni was one of Italy’s most iconic and enduring singers, celebrated for her smoky voice, elegant stage presence, and unforgettable songs. Born on September 22, 1934, in Milan, she began her career in the late 1950s as an actress before fully turning to music. Her unique mix of pop, jazz, bossa nova, and traditional Italian melodies made her stand out immediately.
Vanoni rose to fame in the 1960s with “Senza Fine” and “Che cosa c’è,” songs that became international classics. Throughout her long career, she released more than 50 albums and worked with many major artists, including Gino Paoli, Sergio Endrigo, Vinicius de Moraes, and Toquinho. Her music often blended romance, melancholy, and sophistication, helping define an entire era of Italian pop.
Profondo cordoglio per la scomparsa di Ornella Vanoni, voce inconfondibile della nostra musica, che ha segnato decenni di cultura italiana e accompagnato generazioni con brani senza tempo. L’Italia perde un’artista unica, che ci lascia un patrimonio artistico irripetibile. pic.twitter.com/cBVahxhO5K
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) November 22, 2025
Beyond singing, Vanoni also had a strong acting career, appearing in theater, film, and television. She was known for her artistic honesty, sharp humor, and bold personality, which made her a beloved figure both onstage and in interviews.
In the 1970s and 1980s, she reached new international audiences with the hit “L’appuntamento,” later featured in the film Ocean’s Twelve, which brought her music to a new generation worldwide. Over the decades, she reinvented her sound many times, moving from traditional ballads to modern collaborations, but always kept her signature style.
Vanoni remained active well into her later years, continuing to record, tour, and appear on Italian TV. She was widely admired for her longevity and artistic courage, as well as for being one of the few Italian singers whose career successfully spanned more than six decades. She leaves behind a rich legacy of music, countless live performances, and a lasting influence on Italian culture. Known as the “lady of Italian song,” she remains one of the most cherished voices in Italy’s musical history.
