Helena Paparizou

Elena Paparizou
Birth name	Eleni Paparizou
Also known as	Elena Paparizou
Born	31 January 1982 (age 29)
Origin	Stockholm, Sweden
Genres	Laïko, pop-folk, pop, dance
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, model
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Sony Music Greece
Facebook Page	http://www.facebook.com/helenapaparizouofficial

Elena Paparizou is a singer from Greece. She is well-known for winning Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with Greece.

Biography

Elena Paparizou was born on 31 January 1982 in Borås, Västergötland, Sweden, the youngest child of Greek immigrant parents Georgios Paparizos and Efrosini "Froso" Paparizou. Her parents both originate from the Karditsa region, with her father being from a nearby village, Toxias. She has a sister named Areti, known as "Rita" and a brother Konstantinos, known as "Dinos". Paparizou's mother had moved to Borås in 1960 and worked in factories, while during a trip back to her hometown she met Paparizou's father and they got married. The two moved to Borås in 1970. In 1985, the family moved to Greece to live in Volos with relatives because Paparizou suffered from asthma and her lungs could not endure the cold Scandinavian climate. They returned after two years when the problem was resolved, thereon living in the town of Örgryte, Gothenburg. Because of this early move, Paparizou spoke Greek as a first language. As a child, she did not hang out with many Swedish children,and attended a Greek-language school. Throughout her childhood, she continued suffering from breathing problems, was once rushed to the hospital because of them, and recalls feeling like she had left her body at least twice. She continues to suffer from the issue and often carries an inhaler onstage for when she loses her breath. Read more

Songs

• Mambo
• Gigolo (song contest winner)
• Baby It's Over

Eligible to participate for
Greece Sweden