Biography
Who is Elli Kokkinou?
Early life and education
Elli Kokkinou grew up in Athens, Greece, in a household that prioritized music. Her father steered her toward jazz, while her mother introduced her to disco and mainstream pop sounds. She started ballet at age five and performed singing and dancing routines for her family during her childhood.
Later, she studied classical guitar at the Attiko Conservatory and pursued further training in acoustic and electric guitar for three years. Before finishing her schooling, she spent six years on a water ski team and earned third place in a pan-Hellenic championship. Following graduation, she formed her first band called Anonimi.
Professional music career
Her professional music career began in 1990 at the request of Kostas Tournas. During the early 1990s, she provided backing vocals for various artists before signing a contract with Sony Music Greece in 1996. Her first CD single, Kapia Mera, appeared in 1998 with music by Antonis Vardis.
Her debut studio album, Epikindyna Paihnidia, followed in 1999. In 2000, she released her second album, Andriki Kolonia, which included the hit single Pao Pao. She performed at clubs alongside industry figures such as Anna Vissi, Glykeria, Pashalis Terzis, and Antonis Vardis.
Success with Sto Kokkino
In 2002, she signed with Heaven Music and began working with songwriter Phoebus. The album Sto Kokkino, released in May 2003, achieved double platinum status and became one of the most successful Greek releases of the year. The album achieved success in Turkey, leading to her winning the Best New International Artist award from the Union of Journalists of Turkey in 2005.
She later released the album SEX in 2005, which reached platinum status. In 2007, she signed with Sony BMG Greece and released the album Eilikrina, which reached number two on the Greek IFPI charts.
Later projects and teaching
Elli Kokkinou continued her career with the release of the album Ta Genethlia Mou in 2011, which earned platinum certification in 2012. She also served as a judge for the second season of the reality show Greek Idol in 2011.
Outside of music, she opened an English-language nursery school in Glyfada called Happy Faces in May 2012. The inspiration for the school came from reading a book about a bear in kindergarten to her son, Alexandros Vasiliadis. She designed the school to provide a colorful and friendly environment for young children.
Birthday and age
Elli Kokkinou was born on July 24, 1970, which makes Elli 56 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Elli shares the date with 48 other famous people.
Explore more
