Eleni Foureira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eleni Foureira
Ελένη Φουρέιρα
Foureira in May 2018
Born	Entela Fureraj (1987-03-07) 7 March 1987 (age 38) Fier, Albania
Children	1
Musical career
Origin	Athens, Greece
Genres	Pop
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Universal Music Greece Minos EMI Panik Records Sony Music

Eleni Foureira (born on March 7, 1987) is a famous Greek singer who was born in Albania. Her birth name is Entela Fureraj. She started her music journey in 2007 with a Greek girl group called Mystique. After the group split up in 2009, she began a successful solo career and has released five studio albums.

Foureira is best known for representing Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. Her song, "Fuego", was a huge hit and she finished in second place. This was the best result Cyprus has ever had in the contest.

Since Eurovision, Foureira has become an international star. In 2024, she was named the most-streamed female artist from Greece. This was celebrated when her album Poli_Ploki received a special Diamond award, making her the first female artist in Greece to achieve this.

Early Life and Background

Eleni Foureira was born as Entela Fureraj on March 7, 1987, in Fier, Albania. Her mother worked as a seamstress, and her father was a construction worker. She has three siblings named Ioanna, Margarita, and Giorgos.

When she was young, her family moved to Greece because of unrest in Albania in 1997. They settled in Athens, where Eleni grew up. From a young age, she loved music and learned to play the guitar. She also worked in a theater for three years, which helped her prepare for a career in entertainment.

Music Career

2007–2009: Starting with the Group Mystique

Foureira's career began when she joined the girl group Mystique in 2007. The group, which also included Alkmini Chatzigianni and Maria Makri, released a few popular songs. Their single "Min kaneis pos de thymasai" was a big hit. However, the group decided to break up in 2009, and Eleni started to focus on her own music.

Foureira performing live in 2013.

2010–2018: Building a Solo Career

After Mystique ended, Foureira signed a contract with Universal Music Greece. She released her first solo album, also called Eleni Foureira, in 2010. She then moved to the record label Minos EMI and released two more albums, Ti Poniro Mou Zitas in 2012 and Anemos Agapis in 2014. These albums were very popular in Greece and Cyprus.

In 2015, she signed with Panik Records and released her fourth album, Vasilissa, in 2017. During this time, she also appeared as a judge on the Greek version of the TV show So You Think You Can Dance.

2018: Eurovision Stardom with "Fuego"

Foureira had tried to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest several times but was not chosen. In 2018, she was given the chance to represent Cyprus with the song "Fuego", which means "Fire" in Spanish. The song was written by famous songwriter Alex Papaconstantinou.

Foureira performing "Fuego" at Eurovision 2018.

Her performance was a massive success. She amazed audiences with her powerful vocals and energetic dancing. On May 8, 2018, she made it through the semi-final and into the grand final. In the final, she finished in second place with 436 points. It was a historic moment for Cyprus, as it was the country's best-ever result in Eurovision.

2018–Present: International Success

After Eurovision, Foureira's career took off. She signed a deal with Sony Music, a major international record label. She released hit singles like "Caramela" and "Tómame". Her Eurovision song "Fuego" became a hit across Europe, earning platinum status in Spain and gold in Norway and Sweden.

In 2019, she released an EP called Gypsy Woman and went on a European tour. She also performed as a special guest at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 final. Later that year, she performed at a music festival in Tirana, Albania, where she spoke in Albanian about her roots and sang traditional folk songs.

Eleni Foureira performing as an opening act at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

In 2022, she released her fifth album, Poli Ploki. The album was a huge success and was certified diamond, a first for a female artist in Greece. In 2023, she started her "Reborn Tour," performing in large venues across Europe.

On May 7, 2024, she returned to the Eurovision stage as a special opening act for the first semi-final. She continues to release new music, including the singles "Aeroplano" and "Aristourgima" in 2024.

Personal Life

Since 2017, Foureira has been in a relationship with Alberto Botía, a Spanish soccer player. In November 2022, she announced she was pregnant. On February 7, 2023, she gave birth to their son, Ermis.

When she first started her career, Foureira did not talk about her Albanian background. She later explained that she did this because she wanted to be accepted in the Greek music industry. In 2014, she confirmed that she was born in Albania and said she has always felt Greek because she grew up with Greek culture and education. She is now proud of her heritage and has a Greek grandfather.

Discography

• Eleni Foureira (2010)
• Ti Poniro Mou Zitas (2012)
• Anemos Agapis (2014)
• Vasilissa (2017)
• Gypsy Woman (EP) (2019)
• Poli_Ploki (2022)

Filmography

Television

See also

In Spanish: Eleni Foureira para niños