His real name Yolanda Gigliotti, Dalida was born in Cairo January 17, 1933.
After an immigrant Italian family in Egypt, she is the only girl among two brothers, Orlando and his older Bruno, the youngest. Their father, Pietro, was first violinist in the Cairo Opera House.
Teenager, she was destined for a career as a secretary. In 1951, she secretly has a beauty contest. Three years later, she participated in the Miss Egypt and won first prize. She then hired as actress in films in Cairo, the Hollywood of the East. There she was spotted by French director. Yolanda became Dalila, dreams of Paris. Despite the misgivings of his family, December 24, 1954, she flew to Paris.
Times are tough. French cinema has no place for it. So to support her, she took singing lessons. It is engaged in a cabaret on the Champs Elysées, and later at the Villa d'Este. It is presented there as the "Revelation of the French song".
Bruno Merrick just bought an old Parisian cinema, "Olympia", where he hosts a variety show, "The Numbers one tomorrow." Dalila is invited and she chooses to interpret "Foreign Paradise." On this occasion, she meets two men: Lucien Morisse, artistic director of Europe 1, and Eddy Barclay, disc publisher. They are determined to find the gem that will allow them to launch their respective companies. Dalila, became Dalida, seems to be the artist that they need.
She recorded her first 45 Barclay, "Madonna", but with "Bambino" that Dalida will prevail. This is a huge success.
Dalida et Lucien Morisse1956 is the year of all Dalida success. She made her first steps at the Olympia in American star Charles Aznavour. "Bambino" and propels the audience applauds. He asks. This was done in September where it borders the riot at the entrance. Dalida is now the covers of magazines. September 17, 1957, invented for her first gold disc. Lucien Morisse became more than a Pygmalion for the young singer. A romance is born between them. In 1958, she received the Oscar for Radio Monte Carlo, she keeps for seven consecutive years. Then she toured worldwide. It then passes Bobino where she triumphs.
Lucien Morisse it continues to register success. She is the favorite singer of the moment and the throne in the charts before Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel ...
The long-awaited wedding take long to get. April 8, 1961, after many hesitations, Dalida and Lucien marry Paris. She brought her family in the French capital then toured right after the wedding. No honeymoon.
Dalida et Jean SobieskiLucien Morisse do not let blow: work, work, work. At the expense of their married life. Dalida feels neglected. Some months later, she met Jean Sobieski during a stopover in Cannes. It is love at first sight. A showdown will begin between her and Lucien Morisse. Despite his artistic debt to him, she wants to regain his freedom, which is difficult to accept for the groom.
Despite his new passion, Dalida not forget his career. Wave yéyé landed in France. In December 1961, she is at the Olympia. The games are far from over as Dalida no longer act as leading lady in the world of showbiz. Yet it is a triumph. It comforts the singer and her fans. It occurs during a month in the room that welcomes more than two thousand spectators per night. Then she went on tour, including Hong Kong and Vietnam, where she is a true idol.
The summer of 1962, Dalida sings "Petit Gonzalez" and gets back the success that follows for so long. That year, she bought a mansion in Montmartre. The house, which looks like the castle of Sleeping Beauty, is perched on one of the most famous districts of Paris.
DalidaAfter the divorce with Lucien Morisse and its move to its new home, Dalida finally broke with Jean Sobieski. She takes a step back. She metamorphosis becomes more sophisticated and continues its work autodidact reading ever.
On 4 August 1964, she completed her transformation by becoming blonde.
September 3, it shows the Olympia. It is indeed the favorite singer of French, having survived the wave yéyé and still present in the middle of the European variety. In 1965, she sang "Zorba's Dance" to the music of Theodorakis, who composed the soundtrack for the film "Zorba the Greek". New success. She dreams of marriage, but no suitor is looming on the horizon. The song takes up all his time between galas and CD recordings. End of 1966, his younger brother Bruno, who, for the sake of his career, took the name of his brother Orlando, took over the career of his sister. Rosy, their cousin, became the secretary of the singer. Everything happens in families.

Luigi Tenco et DalidaIn October 1966, the Italian record RCA submit a young songwriter full of talent, Luigi Tenco. Spirited and rebellious young man strong impression to Dalida. For a new Italian campaign, the label decided to present the singer at the Festival of San Remo. Luigi is responsible for writing the song. Many meetings were held between the two artists. A real passion arises between them. They decided to present both in San Remo, at the gala Festival January 67, to defend the same song: "Ciao Amore". The pressure is on as Dalida is a star in Italy and Luigi Tenco a young beginner. On this occasion, they announce their families planned their wedding in April. Unfortunately, the evening turns to tragedy. Luigi Tenco, extremely anxious, under the influence of alcohol and tranquilizers, does not support the price escapes one and the other. He denounced the judges and condemns the seizure of money on the festival. Disgusted and misunderstood, he committed suicide in his hotel room. Dalida is destroyed. A few months later, desperate, she tries to turn suicide using barbiturates.
Dalida LiveThis unfortunate episode bodes in fact, a new era in the career of Dalida. This is the beginning of the "Madonna" period in a long white dress. The public seems eternal devotion to "Saint Dalida", as nicknamed the press.
Time "Bambino" is over. It now reads a lot, is interested in philosophy, is passionate about Freud and introduced to yoga. The elevation of the soul is now his only reason for living. But continues her career she returned to Italy to participate in a famous TV show, and October 5, 1967, back on the stage of the Olympia. The revival comes along and this is again a triumph. In spring 1968, she is going on tour abroad. In Italy, she received the Grand Prize of the song, "Canzonissima".
Always in search of itself, Dalida undertook several trips to India to follow the teachings of a sage. At the same time, she begins an analysis by the method of Jung. Everything seems away from the song she does not yet forgotten. In August 1970, the popular success with "Darladiladada". In the fall, she met Léo Ferré during a TV show. Upon his return to Paris, she recorded "Over time" it tends to popularize. She does not want to sing songs that have an interest in his eyes and a poetic dimension. Bruno Merrick, owner of Olympia, does not believe in this new directory. . Before its reluctance to find a date, Dalida decided to rent the room itself for three weeks ending 71 The Pygmalion Lucien Morisse, is no longer there to support it: it is indeed committed suicide in September 1970. Dalida doubt very much entering on stage. But success is total, once more.
Alain Delon et Dalida



She finds Alain Delon, a friend, with whom she shared a passionate bond in the 60s. They have forgotten nothing of their love story and their complicity is only stronger. They sing together in 1973 "Words words." This title is a few weeks # 1 in the charts in France, Europe and Japan.

Le conte de St Germain et DalidaThe early 70s is a good period professionally. It seems that being helped by her new companion, knight personality a little fuzzy, but very dedicated to the singer, Richard Chanfray, who calls himself "Count Saint Germain." He gives him a taste of life. She is now entering the phase "Hollywood star" where femininity is highlighted.
At the end of the year, she recorded "He had just turned 18." The title becomes No. 1 in nine countries, including Germany, where it sells 3.5 million copies. January 15, 1974, she goes on stage at the Olympia and at the end of this turn singing a new song "Gigi l'Amoroso". It lasts 7mn30 is both sung and spoken and contains many choirs. This title remains the world's most successful Dalida, number one in twelve countries.
She then went for a big tour in Japan. End 1974 and for Quebec. A few months later, she returns, before going to Germany. In February 1975, she received the Academy Award of the French disc.
Shortly after and surprise, Dalida is required in strength and beauty where nobody expects is to say, in full Disco movement. Undisputed pioneer, his "I will wait for Version 75" is the first French disco hit.
Dalida DiscoThe 70s saw the development of television devoted to the variety. She benefits greatly because it is often invited both in France and abroad.
In Arab countries, Dalida is highly appreciated. It is known native of Cairo, Egypt. This strengthens the bonds that the public can interact with it. His return in 70 trips to Egypt and Lebanon gave him the idea of ​​singing in Arabic. It uses a 1977 song of the Egyptian folklore "Salma Ya Salama". The launch takes place in France and the Middle East. Success is staggering. She finally recorded in five languages.
Dalida even offers luxury, with "Generation 78", which is the subject of the first medley and first video clip hexagonal supplant several masters of the genre in their own territory. Show-woman clad in sumptuous sequined dresses split to the hip shock.
Americans love this kind of artist, so glamorous and professional at the same time. They contact for a show in New York. Thus 29 November 78, it rises on the stage of Carnegie Hall. The room is unleashed. Dalida inaugurates a new song that audiences love immediately, "Lambeth Walk", a sort of refrain 20s. Local press incense. Dalida enjoys his American success.
Back in France, she continued her recording career. During the summer of 79, the new tube is called "Monday Tuesday". Dalida riding the disco wave with ease, grabbing once again fashionable. In June, she returned to Egypt to sing. His journey is expected, the public is present and Anwar Sadat, the Egyptian president, receives the singer on this occasion. She then went for a tour in the Emirates then returned to France.
Dalida les années 80The early 80 starts with a fireworks display. Dalida, then at the height of his glory, at the Palais des Sports in Paris from 5 to 20 January 80 for a show in the U.S., with twelve costume changes in rhinestones and feathers. The star is surrounded by eleven thirty dancers and musicians. Choreography as a true Broadway was conceived for this grandiose spectacle of more than two hours. Eighteen performances are packed room. This will be the first female star to occur on such an important scene. She then went for a triumphant tour through fall.
In 1981, after his painful breakup with the Count Saint-Germain, Dalida, as always, starts hard work to forget his chaotic private life, where it always ends up alone. It is the spectacle of the Palais des Sports in Olympia in March 81. For the first, we invent for her hard diamond, it is the first to receive worldwide. It is a way to celebrate her 85 million records sold worldwide, but fifty five gold records interpreted in seven languages ​​and his entire career. Then, tireless and professional, she is going on tour.
The next two years were marked by its position in favor of the new President of the French Republic, François Mitterrand. Commitment friendlier than policy earned him critics who serve professionally.
DalidaIn 1983, she recorded a new album on which there are songs like "Dying on stage" and "Lucas". On 20 July of the same year, another blow will destabilize the singer. Richard Chanfray commits suicide in Saint-Tropez in the south of France. Dalida is very affected by the death of his former partner, professional enthusiasm is altered. His entourage tone down his remarks. In 1984, she is going on tour, requested by his fans. Then she goes to Saudi Arabia for a series of recitals. In 1985, she underwent two eye operations that remind him very bad memories.
During the thirty-seven years of uninterrupted success, she found time to shoot a few films, but will have to wait 1986 to find a true role composition. She did not hesitate to old to be the heroine of the film by Youssef Chahine "The Sixth Day", in which she will prove to be a great actress. Criticism greet his performance. But down from their pedestal porcelain, even goddesses of melancholy and blues to heart. Dalida is no exception to the rule. Legend that feeds tragic destinies exceptional is already running. All those years of work have tired proven. She feels increasingly alone and think if she managed her life as an artist, she missed her womanhood. She has no husband, no children, the years begin to weigh on him She interpreter. "Me, I want to die on stage ...". But considering that life can no longer bring him, she decides to sleep forever in the night of May 2, 1987, and leaves to last post:
"Forgive me, life is unbearable."

Source: Wikipedia.org