Dalida (real name Yolanda Gigliotti) was born on January 17, 1933 in Cairo, to an Italian immigrant family in Egypt. She was the only girl in the family, where there were two more sons. Father (Pietro) is an opera violinist, and mother (Giuseppina). She took care of the household, located in the Chubra region, where Arabs and Westerners lived together.
When Yolanda was 4 years old, she had a second ophthalmic intervention. She was diagnosed with an infection in her eyes when she was only 10 months old. Concerned about these issues, she long considered herself an "ugly duckling". Since she had to wear glasses for a long time. At the age of 13, she threw them out the window and saw that everything around her was completely blurred.
Dalida's childhood and youth were no different from the rest of the fates of immigrant children. She went to a Catholic school organized by the nuns, went out with her friends. She also participated in school theater performances, where she achieved some success.
As a teenager, Dalida started working as a secretary. She was again subjected to ophthalmic intervention. And at the same time, the girl realized that people's views on her had changed a lot. Now she looked like a real woman. In 1951, she entered a beauty pageant. After the publication of photos in swimsuits, a scandal occurred in the family. The second profession that Yolanda mastered was "Model".
Dalida: Miss Egypt 1954
In 1954, she entered the Miss Egypt pageant and won the first prize. Dalida started acting in films in Cairo, Hollywood. She was noticed by the French director Marc de Gastine. Despite the reluctance of her family, she flew to the capital of France. Here Yolanda turned into Delilah.
In fact, she was alone in a big cold city. The girl was obliged to provide herself with the most necessary means. Times were difficult. She started taking singing lessons. Her teacher was heavy-handed, but the lessons were effective and brought quick results. He sent her to an audition at a cabaret on the Champs Elysees.
Dalida took her first steps as a singer. She did not imitate a French accent and pronounce the "r" sound in her own way. This did not affect her professionalism and talent. She was then hired by the Villa d'Este, a prestigious performance club.
Bruno Cockatrice, who bought the old Olympia cinema in Paris, hosted the Numbers One Of Tomorrow show on Europa 1 radio. She hired Lucien Moriss (the artistic director of the radio station) and Eddie Barclay (the publisher of music records).
They were determined to look for a "pearl" that would allow them to start their own business. Dalida is exactly the kind of performer they need.
Miss Bambino
Dalida recorded her first single at Barclay (on the advice of Lucien Moriss) in 1955. In fact, it was with the single Bambino that Dalida became successful. The new single was played on Europa 1 radio station run by Lucien Morisse.
1956 was a successful year for Dalida. She took her first steps in Olympia (USA) in the program of Charles Aznavour. Dalida has also posed for magazine covers. On September 17, 1957, she received a "gold" record for the 300th Bambino sold.
At Christmas 1957, Dalida recorded a song that was her second Gondolier hit. In 1958, she received an Oscar (Monte Carlo Radio). The following year, the singer began a tour of Italy, which was very successful. It soon spread throughout Europe.
Dalida's triumphant return to Cairo
After starting in the United States, she returned triumphantly to Cairo (hometown). Here Dalida was warmly received. The press dubbed her "the voice of the century."
Returning to France, she joined Lucien Morisse in Paris, who continued to be successful. The relationship they maintained outside of professional life is hard to fathom. Because they have changed over time. On April 8, 1961, they got married in Paris.
The girl brought her family to the French capital. And then went on tour immediately after the wedding. Then she met Jean Sobieski in Cannes and fell in love with him. Discord began between her and Lucien Moriss. Despite his artistic debt to her, she wanted to restore his freedom, which was difficult for a new fiancé to accept.
Despite her new passion, Dalida did not forget about her career. In December 1961, she went to Olympia for the first time. Then the singer began the tour, visited Hong Kong and Vietnam, where she was the idol of the youth.
Life of Dalida in Montmartre
In the summer of 1962, Dalida sang the song Petit Gonzalez and was successful. With this cheerful and fast song, she interested a young audience. At that time, she bought the famous house in Montmartre. The house, which looks like a sleeping beauty castle, is located in one of the most famous areas of Paris. She remained there for the rest of her life.
After her divorce from Lucien Morisse and moving into a new home, Dalida was no longer with Jean. In August 1964, she became blonde. Changing colors may seem trivial. But it reflected her psychological change.
On September 3, she confidently gathered the hall at Olympia. Dalida is the favorite singer of the French, she has always been at the center of the European stage.
But still, the woman dreamed of marriage, and there was not a single applicant. At the end of 1966, the singer's younger brother (Bruno) was in charge of her sister's career. Rosie (cousin) became the singer's secretary.
Ciao Amore
In October 1966, the Italian record company RCA introduced Dalida to the talented young composer Luigi Tenko. This young man made a strong impression on Dalida. Luigi thought about writing a song. The singer and composer met for a long time. And between them there was a real passion.
They decided to present themselves in Sanremo, at a gala festival in January 1967 with the song Ciao Amore. The social pressure was strong because Dalida is the star of Italy and Luigi Tenco is a young rookie. They announced to their relatives that their wedding is scheduled for April.
Unfortunately, one evening turned into a tragedy. Luigi Tenko, disturbed and under the influence of alcohol and tranquilizers, denounced the members of the jury and the festival. Luigi committed suicide in a hotel room. Delilah was virtually destroyed. A few months later, in desperation, she tried to kill herself with barbiturates.
Dalida Madonna
This unfortunate episode heralded a new phase in Dalida's career. She was withdrawn and sullen, looking for peace, but took matters into her own hands. In the summer, having recovered a little from the loss, she again began a series of concerts. The devotion of the public was immense for "Saint Dalida", as she was called in the press.
She read a lot, was fond of philosophy, was interested in Freud and studied yoga. Elevation of the soul was the only reason for life. But her career continued. She returned to Italy to participate in the famous TV show, and on October 5 she returned to the stage of the Olympia Hall. In the spring of 1968, she went on tour abroad. In Italy, she received the main prize Canzonissima.
Dalida made several trips to India to follow the teachings of the sages. At the same time, she began to study psychoanalysis according to Jung's method. All this alienated her from songs and music. But in August 1970, while on tour with Jacques Dutronc, she gained popularity with the song Darladiladada. In the fall, she met Leo Ferre during a TV show.
On her return to Paris, she recorded Avec Le Temps. Bruno Cockatrix (Olympia owner) did not believe in the success of the new repertoire.
Duet with Alain Delon
In 1972 Dalida recorded a duet with friend Alain Delon Paroles, Paroles (an adaptation of an Italian song). The song was released in early 1973. In just a few weeks, it became a #1 hit in France and Japan, where the actor was a star.
Pascal Sevran (a young songwriter) offered the singer a song in 1973, which she reluctantly accepted. At the end of the year she recorded Il Venait D'avoir 18 ans. The song reached No. 1 in nine countries, including Germany, where it sold 3,5 million copies.
On January 15, 1974, Dalida returned to the stage and presented Gigi L'Amoroso at the end of the tour. It lasted 7 minutes, it included both vocals and a regular voice, as well as choral singing. This masterpiece remains a worldwide success for Dalida, #1 in 12 countries.
Then the singer went on a big tour of Japan. At the end of 1974, she left for Quebec. She returned there a few months later before heading to Germany. In February 1975, Dalida received the French Language Academy Prize. She then recorded a cover version of J'attendrai (Rina Ketty). She had already heard it in Egypt in 1938.
1978: Salma Ya Salama
In Arab countries, Dalida was highly valued as an artist. Thanks to her return to Egypt in the 1970s, a trip to Lebanon, the singer had the idea to sing in Arabic. In 1978, Dalida sang a song from the Egyptian folklore Salma Ya Salama. The success was dizzying.
That same year, Dalida changed record labels. She left Sonopress and signed with Carrère.
Americans loved such performers. They contacted her for a show in New York. Dalida presented a new song that the public immediately fell in love with Lambeth Walk (1920s story). After this performance, Dalida enjoyed her American success.
Returning to France, she continued her musical career. In the summer of 1979, her new song Monday Thuesday was released. In June she returned to Egypt. This is the first time she has sung in Egyptian. She also released a second Arabic language work, Helwa Ya Baladi, which had the same success as the previous song.
1980: American show in Paris
The 1980s began with fireworks in the singer's career. Dalida performed at the Palais des Sports in Paris for an American style show with 12 costume changes in rhinestones, feathers. The star was surrounded by 11 dancers and 13 musicians. For this grandiose show (more than 2 hours), a special Broadway-style choreography was invented. Tickets for 18 performances were sold out instantly.
In April 1983, she returned to the studio and recorded a new album. And it had songs from Die on Stage and Lucas.
In 1984, she toured at the request of her fans, who felt that performances were too infrequent. She then traveled to Saudi Arabia for a series of solo concerts.
1986: "Le sixieme jour"
In 1986, Dalida's career took an unexpected turn. Although she had already acted in films, she was not offered an important role until Yusef Chahin (Egyptian director) decided that Dalida would be the film's translator. It was his new film, an adaptation of Andre Chedid's novel The Sixth Day. The singer played the role of a young grandmother. This job is important to her. Moreover, the singing career began to tire. The need to sing has almost disappeared. Film critics welcomed the film's release. This strengthened Dalida's belief that things could and must change.
However, nothing has changed in his personal life. She had a secret affair with a doctor that ended very badly. Depressed, Delilah tried to continue her normal life. But the singer could not stand the moral suffering and committed suicide on May 3, 1987. The farewell ceremony took place on May 7 at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Paris. Dalida was then buried in the Montmartre cemetery.
A place in Montmartre is named after her. Dalida's brother and producer (Orlando) published a record with the singer's songs. Thus, supporting the ardor of "fans" around the world.
In 2017, the film Dalida (about the life of a diva) directed by Lisa Azuelos was released in France.
