Irena Santor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irena Santor
Order of Polonia Restituta
Gold Gloria Artis Medal |
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Santor in 2016
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| Born |
Irena Wiśniewska
9 December 1934 Papowo Biskupie, Poland
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| Occupation | Singer, actress |
| Years active | 1949–2021 |
| Spouse(s) |
Stanisław Santor
(m. 1958; div. 1977) |
| Signature | |
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Irena Santor (born Irena Wiśniewska on December 9, 1934) is a very famous Polish singer and actress. She is known for her beautiful, clear singing voice, called a mezzo-soprano. Many people see her as one of Poland's biggest music stars, and she has inspired many younger singers.
Irena Santor began her career in 1950. From 1951 to 1959, she was the main singer for a well-known Polish folk group called Mazowsze. With them, she traveled and performed all over the world. After leaving the group, she started her own solo career. She has won many awards both in Poland and in other countries.
Irena Santor also acted in movies, starting with Przygoda z piosenką in 1968. She appeared on many TV and radio shows. She was also a judge on several talent shows and singing competitions. She even recorded songs for Polish and Soviet films. In 2017, she became the first singer in Poland to receive an honorary doctorate, which is a special university degree given for great achievements. She announced that she ended her professional singing career in 2021.
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Early Life and School
Irena Wiśniewska was born on December 9, 1934, in a place called Papowo Biskupie in northern Poland. She spent her childhood in Solec Kujawski. Her family moved there in the mid-1930s. Sadly, her father was killed in 1939, just a few weeks after World War II began. Her mother worked as a seamstress, making clothes.
After the war, Irena's mother became ill. In 1948, Irena and her mother lived in Polanica-Zdrój, a health resort. Irena went to a school there that taught glass decoration. Later, she attended a vocational school for the glass industry. Her teachers noticed her amazing singing talent. In the late 1940s, they encouraged her to enter singing competitions.
Music Career Highlights
In 1950, Irena met Zdzisław Górzyński, a famous director. He was very impressed by her voice. He suggested she meet Tadeusz Sygietyński, who created and managed the folk group Mazowsze. Irena tried out for the group and was accepted. However, she had to take singing lessons from an opera singer named Wanda Wermińska. She agreed to this. Her mother passed away that same year. Irena then moved to Karolin, where she finished music school.
Singing with Mazowsze
Irena became the main singer for the Mazowsze folk group. She appeared in Poland's first color movie, Przygoda na Mariensztacie (1953), with the group. They also recorded songs for the movie. In the 1950s, she traveled all over the world with the band. One of her most popular songs from this time was Ej, przeleciał ptaszek, which was originally a folk song. During her time with Mazowsze, she met Stanisław Santor, who played the violin in the group. He later became her husband.
Starting a Solo Career
After marrying Stanisław Santor, Irena left the Mazowsze group. She then began her very successful solo singing career. In 2019, she celebrated 60 years in music with a concert tour. The tour was called "Jubilee, I sing, therefore I am."
A special event happened on November 25, 2024. An international music festival called "Vistula Sounds" was officially named after Irena Santor. This event took place in Ciechocinek, and Irena Santor herself was there. Starting in 2025, the festival will be known as the Irena Santor "Vistula Sounds" International Festival.
Personal Life
Irena Santor married Stanisław Santor in 1958. They were married for 19 years before they divorced. However, they remained good friends until he passed away in 1999. Later, in the 1990s, she met Zbigniew Korpolewski. He was her partner until his death in 2018.
Film and TV Appearances
Irena Santor appeared in several films and TV shows.
- Przygoda na Mariensztacie (1953): She was a member of the Mazowsze group in this film. She also sang for the main character.
- Klub kawalerów (1962): She sang for a character in this movie.
- Gangsterzy i filantropi (1962): She sang the main song for this film.
- Przygoda z piosenką (1968): She played a main role as Susanne Blanche.
- M jak miłość (2007): She appeared as herself in a special episode of this Polish TV show.
- Tylko nas dwoje (2010): She was a judge on the Polish version of the TV show Just the Two of Us.
Awards and Honors
Irena Santor has received many awards and honors throughout her long career. Here are some of them:
- 1962: Won "Best Singer" from Express Wieczoru.
- 1963: Won "Best Singer" from Express Wieczoru again.
- 1966: Won "Singer of the Year" from the Polish Diaspora Award.
- 1966: Won an award at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole for her song Powrócisz tu.
- 1969: Received a Złota Płyta (Gold Record) for her album Piosenki stare jak świat.
- 1970: Received another Złota Płyta for Zapamiętaj, że to ja.
- 1971: Received another Złota Płyta for Wśród nocnej ciszy.
- 1973: Received another Złota Płyta for Z tobą na zawsze.
- 1974: Won the Silver Cross of Merit.
- 1976: Won the Gold Cross of Merit.
- 1998: Won the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for her great contributions to Polish culture and art.
- 2007: Won the Gold Fryderyk award for her achievements.
- 2008: Received the Order of the Smile, a special award given by children.
- 2013: Became an Honorary Citizen of Warsaw.
Images for kids
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Santor in 2016
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Irena Santor's signature
