Siw Malmkvist facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siw Malmkvist
Malmkvist in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Siw Gunnel Margareta Malmkvist
Born	(1936-12-31) 31 December 1936 (age 88) Landskrona, Sweden
Occupation(s)	Singer actress
Years active	1957–present
Musical career
Genres	Schlager
Instruments	Vocals

Siw Malmkvist (born December 31, 1936) is a famous Swedish singer and actress. She became very popular in countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. Siw is known for singing in many languages, including Swedish, German, English, and Finnish.

She even represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960. Later, she also represented West Germany (which is now part of Germany) in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969. In 1964, she had a number one hit song in West Germany called "Liebeskummer lohnt sich nicht." She was also the first Swedish singer to have a song on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Sole Sole Sole."

Early Life and First Steps

Siw Malmkvist grew up in a town called Landskrona in Sweden. She was one of nine children in her family. Her father was Albert Malmkvist and her mother was Sigrid Lind. Siw's younger sister, Lil Malmkvist, also became a singer.

Siw's music journey began when she sang with orchestras in the Skåne region. In 1955, she entered a singing competition that changed her life. She won the first round in Skåne and then traveled to Stockholm Concert Hall for the big final. Siw won the final and received a clock as her prize. After that, she got to record her very first song, "Tweedle Dee."

A Star's Journey

Siw Malmkvist became truly famous in 1959. She was a host on a popular TV show called Stora famnen. That same year, she won Melodifestivalen, which is Sweden's competition to choose a song for Eurovision. Her winning song was "Augustin." However, another singer, Brita Borg, was chosen to sing it at Eurovision that year.

Even so, "Augustin" became a huge hit for Siw. It sold over 60,000 copies! The next year, in 1960, Siw finally got to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1960 in London. She sang the song "Alla andra får varann" and finished in tenth place. She won Melodifestivalen again in 1961 with "April, April," but again, another singer, Lill-Babs, was chosen for Eurovision.

Siw Malmkvist in 1959

Success in Germany

In 1959, Siw also started her career in West Germany, where she quickly became very popular. In 1961, her song "Danke für die Blumen" was a big hit there. She even released a song called "Die Liebe ist ein seltsames Spiel" under a different name, "Die Jolly Sisters." She later released this song in Sweden as "Tunna skivor," which was number one for seven weeks and sold over 97,000 copies! Another song, "Läs inte brevet jag skrev dej," sold over 80,000 copies.

From 1963, Siw lived in Helsinki, Finland, with her husband and daughter. During this time, in 1964, she made history. She became the first Swedish singer to appear on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. She sang "Sole Sole Sole" in Italian with Umberto Marcato, and it reached number 58.

Siw Malmkvist in Melodifestivalen 1961

Siw Malmkvist and Lee Hazlewood in 1968

Siw also did very well in the Schlager-Festspiele singing competition in Baden-Baden, Germany. In 1962, she came in second place. Then, in 1964, she won the competition with "Liebeskummer lohnt sich nicht." This song sold an amazing 1,000,000 copies and was number one in West Germany for ten weeks! In Swedish, the song was called "Kärleksgrubbel." She won the competition again in 1968 with "Harlekin." In 1969, she won the German selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 1969 and finished seventh in Madrid. Siw Malmkvist's songs are still loved in Germany today.

Acting and Stage Roles

Siw Malmkvist also had a successful acting career in both Denmark and Sweden. She played the main character in the film Förälskad i Köpenhamn (1960) and appeared as Eivor in Varning för Jönssonligan (1981).

She also showed great talent on stage. She played the main role in the musical Irma la douce. She performed in many shows and revues, including the Kar de Mumma-revue and the Karl Gerhard show. In 1980, she even played Pippi Långstrump in a play in Stockholm!

Siw Malmkvist at Oscarsteatern, 1983

Siw received praise for her role as Luise in the musical Nine from 1983 to 1984. In later years, she acted in the musical I hetaste laget and in Colin Nutley''s version of the musical Cabaret in 2008.

Recent Performances and Appearances

In recent years, Siw Malmkvist has continued to perform. She has done many shows, including performances at Hamburger Börs in Stockholm with other famous singers like Lill-Babs and Wenche Myhre.

In 2004, she participated in Melodifestivalen 2004 with the song "C'est la vie" alongside Towa Carson and Ann-Louise Hanson. This trio also sang at Allsång på Skansen, a popular TV show. From 2003 to 2012, Siw was part of the Arlövs revue show every year. She also joined the Diggiloo summer tour in 2003 and 2004.

Siw Malmkvist at Stockholm Pride 2014

In 2004, Siw, Wenche Myhre, and Gitte Henning started their show Gitte Wenche Siw – Die Show in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This tour was very successful and continued until 2008, with a total of 350 shows! Siw also recorded a Swedish version of the song "Where the Wild Roses Grow" with actor Thorsten Flinck, which they called "Vildvuxna rosor."

In 2009, Siw was a special guest on the TV show Stjärnorna på slottet, where she shared stories about her life and career. From 2010 to 2011, she had a show called "Tre damer" with Lill-Babs and Ann-Louise Hanson. In 2010, she also released her memoirs, a book about her life, called Tunna skivor av mig.

Siw performed at Allsång på Skansen again in 2011, singing a mix of her hit songs. In 2012, she appeared on the TV show Who do you think you are?, where she learned about her family history, including ancestors who were soldiers.

In 2021, she was featured in two episodes of the TV show Så mycket bättre. In 2023, Siw Malmkvist was a guest judge on the Swedish TV show Drag Race Sverige.

Personal Life

Siw Malmkvist was married to the Finnish-Swedish musician Lasse Mårtenson from 1963 to 1969. They have one daughter together. Siw was also in a relationship with actor Fredrik Ohlsson from 1971 until his passing in 2023. They had a son together, born in 1973.

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Siw Malmkvist para niños