Panagiota-Calliope Chrysicopoulou ( el, Παναγιώτα-Καλλιόπη Χρυσικοπούλου; born 8 March 1975), known professionally as Peggy Zina ( el, Πέγκυ Ζήνα), is a

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

singer. She made her recording debut in 1995 with her self-titled album. She has since released twelve studio albums and is a high-profile artist in the Greek music industry. On 15 March 2010,

Alpha TV Alpha TV is a Greek free-to-air channel, being one of the biggest stations in Greece. The station features a mix of Greek and foreign shows with an emphasis on information. The studios are located in Kifissia and Pallini. Alpha TV is owned by Alp ...

ranked Zina the 24th top-certified female artist in the nation's phonographic era (since 1960), totalling nine (at the time) platinum and two gold records.''Chart Show: Your Countdown''.

; aired 14 March 2010

Biography

Early life

Peggy Zina was born in

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...

on March 8, 1975.

MAD TV ''Mad TV'' (stylized as ''MADtv'') is an American sketch comedy television series originally inspired by '' Mad'' magazine. In its initial run, it aired on Fox from 1995 to 2009. After a one-off reunion show in 2015 to celebrate the twentie ...

. Retrieved on April 4, 2008 She began piano lessons at the age of five and studied dancing, particularly the

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

genre. During her teens, Peggy Zina participated in many artistic school activities, including theater and choir. She graduated from the Jeanne D'Arc Academy of Athens. Her father, Giorgos Zinas, died when she was 14 years old at the age of 56. Her mother, Stella Chrysikopoulou, remarried Nikos Tsiftelis, who Zina has credited with raising and supporting her as if he were "her real father."

1995–1999: Debut album and early success

Peggy Zina's self-titled debut album was released in 1995 by BMG Greece. The album includes her first hit with the controversial title and lead lyric "An Pas Me Alli Tha Sou Spaso to Kefali" (If you go with another woman I will break your head). She began working with

Lefteris Pantazis Lefteris Pantazis ( el, Λευτέρης Πανταζής) who is often called by the nickname ''LePa'' by the media and his fans, is a Greek singer. He was born Eleftherios Pagkozidis (Ελευθέριος Παγκοζίδης) on 27 March 1955 to ...

at the Neraida Club in 1995 and then with

Notis Sfakianakis Panagiotis "Notis" Sfakianakis ( el, Νότης Σφακιανάκης; born 2 November 1959) is a Greek singer of folk music, and is one of the most commercially successful artists of all time in Greece and Cyprus. Sfakianakis began his career i ...

at Gazi club in 1996. She released her second album in 1998 with the title '' Anevaines'' (You rose), and recorded a duet with

Stelios Rokkos Stelios (Greek: Στέλιος) or formally Stylianos (Greek: Στυλιανός) is a Greek first name. This name is given to honor St. Stylianos, a Greek Orthodox saint, the protector of children. The name is derived from the Greek word στυλ� ...

on his single "Eisai O Ilios Mou" ("You Are My Sun). She then worked with

Sakis Rouvas Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas ( el, Αναστάσιος "Σάκης" Ρουβάς, ; born 5 January 1972), also known mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek singer, film and television actor, businessman and former pole vaulter and model. Born in Cor ...

at the Vios Vios Club in 1999.

2000–2002: Rise in popularity

In 2000, Peggy Zina changed recording companies and signed with Nitro Music and drastically altered her look. On July 4, 2000 she released a four-track CD single titled " Ti Th' Akouso Akoma" (What else will I hear) with the title track being the first single from her third album '' Ena Hadi'' (A caress) which was released in 2001. Later that same year she worked with

Christos Dantis Christos Dantis ( el, Χρήστος Δάντης; born Christos Vlahakis, 26 September 1966), is a Greek multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, lyricist, and record producer best known for his hits such as "To Palio Mou Palto" and "Ena Tra ...

and

at the Cosmos Club. On 30 January 2002, she was recommended by

Thanos Kalliris Athanasios 'Thanos' Kalliris (Greek: Θάνος Καλλίρης, born August 13, 1962) is a Greek singer who was born in Athens. His father was a guitarist and composer, Titos Kalliris (1934–2013). In the 1980s, he was a part of the pop music ...

to represent Greece in the

Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), sometimes abbreviated to ESC and often known simply as Eurovision, is an international songwriting competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), featuring participants representing pr ...

. She accepted his proposal to sing a song written by him. On 26 February 2002, she participated in the Greek National Final with the song " Love Is a Wonderful Thing". She took the second place to

Michalis Rakintzis Mihalis Rakintzis (Greek: Μιχάλης Ρακιντζής) is a Greek singer. He was born in Athens, on 3 April 1957, and studied Mechanical Engineering in Great Britain.S.A.G.A.P.O." ("I Love You") who went on to finish at a disappointing seventeenth place. The single gained a gold certification in just a few weeks. Zina released her fourth album ''

Vres Enan Tropo ''Vres Enan Tropo'' (Greek: Βρες έναν τρόπο; en, Find a way) is the title of the fourth studio album by the popular Greek artist Peggy Zina, released in 2002 by Nitro Music. The album went gold several months after release. Track ...

'' (''Find a Way'') in 2002. For this album, she cooperated with many famous singers, like

Giannis Parios Yiannis Parios ( el, Γιάννης Πάριος) is a Greek singer, with a career spanning five decades. Biography Yiannis Parios was born Ioannis Varthakouris (Ιωάννης Βαρθακούρης) on the island of Paros. He made his firs ...

who gave her four

modern laïka Modern may refer to: History * Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Phil ...

songs and acknowledged Zina as an important singer of the "laïko" genre. She continued to perform at "Maskes" in Thessaloniki for the third consecutive year and due to its success she repeated the same music program in Athens.

2003–2004: Minos EMI and ''Mazi Sou''

After four years with Nitro Music and due to the company's closure, Peggy Zina signed with

Minos EMI Minos EMI is a record company based in Athens, Greece. The company serves as the Greek record label and offices of the multinational Universal Music Group. EMI is credited for founding the record business in Greece in the 1930s, by producing th ...

, to what had been described as a lucrative record deal. She released her fifth album, '' Mazi Sou'' (''With You'') in 2003 which became platinum in just a few weeks, selling over 40,000 copies. The album included two massive hits: "Eimai Kala" ("I'm Fine") and "Dystihos" ("Unfortunately"). Zina broke the record for the most performances at Apollon club by surpassing 100 performances. In the winter of the same year Zina worked alongside

Nikos Vertis Nikolaos Arvanitidis (Greek: Νικόλαος Αρβανιτίδης; 21 August 1976), better known by his stage name Nikos Vertis (Greek: Νίκος Βέρτης) is a popular Greek singer. He was born in Gorinchem, Netherlands and his origin is ...

Thanos Petrelis Athanasios (Thanos) Petrelis (Greek: Θάνος Πετρέλης, born September 27, 1975) is a Greek singer. He has released four albums and several singles. Career ''Fame Story'' Petrelis was born in Athens, Greece. He finished third in the ...

Kostas Karafotis Kostas or Costas ( el, Κώστας) is a Greek given name and surname. As a given name it is the hypocorism for Konstantinos (Constantine). Given name * Costas Andreou, Greek musician * Kostas Antetokounmpo (born 1997), a Greek basketball player * ...

and

Apostolia Zoi Apostolia Zoi ( el, Αποστολία Ζώη, ) is a popular Greek singer who was born in Elassona, Greece, and she grew up in Volos. She has released four studio albums. Biography Early life At the age of 14, Apostolia moved to Thessaloniki to ...

at Pili Aksiou. Her popular performances helped raise the album ''Mazi Sou'' to platinum in January 2004.

2004–2005: ''Matono'' and ''Noima''

After finishing her performances in Athens, Peggy Zina went to Thessaloniki and worked with the band Fili Gia Panta and many new singers. Working continuously for a year and a half, Peggy Zina released her new album '' Matono'' (I'm bleeding) in 2004. Upon return to Athens, she started performing at Apollon for a fourth year, this time alongside

and Nino. Peggy Zina received her second platinum certification for ''Matono'' and she also won her first Arion Award for the Best Folk (Laiko) Singer of the Year. In Spring 2005, she and Nino performed abroad in

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

, while in

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

she toured with rising singers Giorgos Lianos and Maro Litra. In September 2005, Peggy Zina released her seventh album with the title '' Noima'' (Meaning) on which she cooperated for the first time with renowned composer

Giorgos Theofanous Giorgos (George) Theofanous (, ) (born in Larnaca, Cyprus on 9 January 1968) is a Greek Cypriot composer and producer. He has sold more than two million records and written more than 500 songs in the 1990s and 2000s. Recording artists for whom ...

. The album was released with four different covers designed by Konstantinos Rigos. The album became gold from the first day of its release and after a few months it gained platinum certification. Once again she won the Arion Award for Best Folk (Laiko) Singer of the Year.

2006–2007: ''Ena'', ''Trekse'' and marriage

On 8 December 2006, Zina released ''

Ena Ena or ENA may refer to: Education * École nationale d'administration, French Grande école, for civil service * Education Networks of America, Internet service provider Fictional characters * Ena Sharples, from the British soap opera ''Coron ...

'' (One) which was recorded at Diogenis Studio and gained a platinum certification. It contained many hits like "Ena" (One), "Ego Ta Spao" ("I Break Them") and the summer hit "Eimai Edo" ("I'm Here"). She was also selected by

to perform a duet with him of the song

rebetiko Rebetiko ( el, ρεμπέτικο, ), plural rebetika ( ), occasionally transliterated as rembetiko or rebetico, is a term used today to designate originally disparate kinds of urban Greek music which have come to be grouped together since the s ...

"To Teleftaio Potiraki" at his MAD Secret Concert. Zina married her longtime music manager Giorgos Liras in June 2007 after a ten-year relationship. This was Lira's third marriage. On 4 December 2007, she released the album '' Trekse'' (''Run''). The singles had already been released and gained significant radio airplay as "An Ypirhes Tha Se Horiza" (If you existed I would divorce you) from the hit Mega TV series of the same name and "Trekse" which was presented at the Arion Music Awards. The album achieved gold certification from its first week and made its debut at number 2 on the

Greek Albums Chart International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece, or simply IFPI Greece, is the Greek branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and is the official charts provider and recording sales certification bo ...

only behind

Mihalis Hatzigiannis Michalis Hatzigiannis (Greek: Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης; born 5 November 1978) is a Greek-Cypriot singer, musician, and record producer. From 2000 to 2010, he received over 30 sales certifications in Greece, making him one of the ...

's live album. Two additional singles of the album were released simultaneously: "Dio Ksenoi" (Two strangers) and "Kai Meta" (And afterwards). The album certified platinum in its sixth week on the chart and Zina received the certification on 22 January 2008. At the 5th annual ''MAD Video Music Awards'', she performed the song " 2 Hearts" and also won the award for "Fashion Icon of the Year" with her song "Trekse".

2008–2009: ''Best of +'' and ''To Pathos Einai Aformi''

On 24 June 2008, Zina released a two-disc greatest hits compilation titled '' Best of +''. In addition to all the previously released material, the album also includes three new songs penned by Giorgos Moukidis, which have all been released as singles as well. The singles ''Paradosou'' ("Surrender") and ''To Kalokairi'' ("The Summer") were made into music videos directed by Konstantinos Rigos, and the album was certified gold, with Peggy Zina receiving the award on December 3, 2008, during a certification party at ''Vox'' nightclub. Zina appeared at ''VOX'' music hall for the winter season alongside Kostas Korafotis and Nino, the three reuniting as they appeared together in 2004. She recorded her tenth studio album in September 2008. Originally, Giorgos Moukidis was commissioned to compose and write the entire album, but instead twp of his tracks made the final release titled '' To Pathos Einai Aformi'' (Passion is a reason) released in May 2009. The leading single "Anatheorisa" ("I Revised") was released to radio stations a month earlier and a music video directed by Konstantinos Rigos premiered on

. On 21 July, the second single ''Ela Nihta'' ("Come Night") was released, and then were released the songs ''An M'Agapas'' ("If You Love Me"), "Hanome" ("I'm Lost"), and ''Se Griza Othoni'' ("Gray Screen"). That same year, Zina performed at Iera Odos for the winter season alongside

Dimitris Mitropanos Dimitris Mitropanos ( el, Δημήτρης Μητροπάνος; 2 April 1948 – 17 April 2012) was a Greek singer. He was renowned for his mastery of Laïkó, a Greek music style. Biography Mitropanos lived in his native city of Trikala in n ...

. The show was a big success and also traveled to

Thessaloniki Thessaloniki (; el, Θεσσαλονίκη, , also known as Thessalonica (), Saloniki, or Salonica (), is the second-largest city in Greece, with over one million inhabitants in its Thessaloniki metropolitan area, metropolitan area, and the capi ...

and

Nicosia Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaor ...

. The album has been certified 2× platinum.

2010–present: ''Evaisthiti... I Logiki?'' and motherhood

In May 2010, Zina recorded her eleventh studio album titled '' Evaisthiti... I Logiki'' (Sensitive... or logical), released 6 October 2010. The album is entirely written by Giannis Christodolopoulos with lyrics by Eleana Vrahali. The song ''Stis Zois To Party'' (In life's party), was released in June 2010 as the album's first single. The second single, "Rotisa" ("I Asked"), was released in early September exclusively on Rythmos FM. The album went on to be certified 2× Platinum. On 9 May 2011, Zina released a new digital single titled "Ston Diko Mou Ton Planiti" ( Gr. "Στον Δικό Μου Τον Πλανήτη"; On My Own Planet) with an accompanying

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...

. This single, like the rest of the album also written entirely by Giannis Christodoulopoulos and Eleana Vrahali, will be part of a planned

reissue In the music industry, a reissue (also re-release, repackage or re-edition) is the release of an album or Single (music), single which has been released at least once before, sometimes with alterations or additions. Reasons for reissue New aud ...

of "Evaisthiti... I Logiki?".title=Peggy Zina official website
accessed 25 July 2011.] Zina had wanted to be a mother since 2009. She announced that she was three months pregnant with her first child during her April 2011 performance on the premiere of the Greek Idol (season 2), second season of ''

Greek Idol ''Greek Idol'' is a reality television competition to find new solo singing talent. Part of the ''Idol'' franchise, it is based on the British show ''Pop Idol'' created by Simon Fuller. The first season of the show debuted on March 5, 2010 on Al ...

'' and announced that she would be giving birth a month later. During their vacations in July, Giorgos Liras experienced

chest pain Chest pain is pain or discomfort in the chest, typically the front of the chest. It may be described as sharp, dull, pressure, heaviness or squeezing. Associated symptoms may include pain in the shoulder, arm, upper abdomen, or jaw, along with n ...

s and was rushed to the hospital. He had undergone a

coronary Coronary () may, as shorthand in English, be used to mean: * Coronary circulation, the system of arteries and veins in mammals ** Coronary artery disease **Coronary occlusion ** A myocardial infarction, a heart attack As adjective * Referring to ...

balloon angioplasty Angioplasty, is also known as balloon angioplasty and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure used to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries or veins, typically to treat arterial atherosclero ...

ten years prior and although he had begun living a healthier lifestyle since, he continued to

smoke Smoke is a suspension of airborne particulates and gases emitted when a material undergoes combustion or pyrolysis, together with the quantity of air that is entrained or otherwise mixed into the mass. It is commonly an unwanted by-product ...

cigarette A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing a combustible material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end, causing it to smolder; the resulting smoke is orally inhaled via the opp ...

s. He was told that had he waited longer he would be in danger of suffering a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

and underwent a

quadruple bypass Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, pronounced "cabbage") is a surgical procedure to treat coronary artery disease (CAD), the buildup of plaques in the arteries of the heart. It can relieve chest pai ...

surgery on 25 July. Zina gave birth on 8 October 2011 via

cesarean section Caesarean section, also known as C-section or caesarean delivery, is the surgical procedure by which one or more babies are delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen, often performed because vaginal delivery would put the baby or ...

. She was visited by celebrities such as Psinakis,

, Amaryllis,

Loukas Giorkas Loukas Yorkas () born in Aradippou, Cyprus, on 18 October 1986, is a Cypriot singer and the winner of the first season of the Greek version of the television talent series ''The X Factor''. In September 2009 he released his first EP album, ''Ma ...

, Makis Pounentis, and Eleonora Meleti. Zina's stepfather died suddenly in the evening of 10 October of an

aneurysm An aneurysm is an outward bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also be a nidus (s ...

. He had no prior significant health issues and had been present at the hospital with the singer earlier that day. She did not actually learn of his death until a day later, as her mother and husband did not want to upset her. She was released from the hospital "Rea" on 12 October.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''

Peggy Zina Panagiota-Calliope Chrysicopoulou ( el, Παναγιώτα-Καλλιόπη Χρυσικοπούλου; born 8 March 1975), known professionally as Peggy Zina ( el, Πέγκυ Ζήνα), is a Greek singer. She made her recording debut in 1995 wi ...

'' (1995) * '' Anevaines'' (1998) * '' Ena Hadi'' (2001) * ''

'' (2002) * '' Mazi Sou'' (2003) * '' Matono'' (2004) * '' Noima'' (2005) * ''

'' (2006) * '' Trekse'' (2007) * '' To Pathos Einai Aformi'' (2009) * '' Evaisthiti... I Logiki?'' (2010) * '' Sou Hrostao Akoma Ena Klama'' (2012) * '' Para Polla'' (2015) * '' Ela'' (2018)

Live albums

* " Peggy Zina LIVE" (2013)

CD singles

* " Ti Th' Akouso Akoma" (2000) * " Love Is a Wonderful Thing" (2002) * " To Mystiko" (2007) * " Dromo" (2013)

Digital singles

* Anatheorisa Master Tempo Remix (2009) * Ena Tragoudi feat. Evridiki (2011) * Diaisthisi feat. Dimos Anastasiadis (2013)

References

External links

German Fan ClubPeggy Zina Discography and Lyrics
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zina, Peggy 1975 births Living people Arion Music Awards winners 21st-century Greek women singers Greek laïko singers Greek pop singers MAD Video Music Awards winners Minos EMI artists Singers from Athens