Biography
Who is Marija Šerifović?
Early life and education
Marija Šerifović was born on November 14, 1984, in Kragujevac, Serbia. She is the only child of musicians Verica and Rajko Šerifović. Her childhood involved significant family difficulties, as her father left the family before her birth to be with another woman, and Marija later spoke about her father being a violent alcoholic.
She completed her schooling at the First Kragujevac Gymnasium. Later, she pursued higher education at Megatrend University. Her entry into the music world began early, as she made her recording debut in 1998 with a television performance of the song Moje bube, which she sang alongside her mother.
Eurovision victory and musical career
In 2007, Marija competed in the Serbian national selection festival, Beovizija, with the song Molitva. She won the contest and went on to represent Serbia at the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest. During the semi-final in Helsinki, she placed first, and she subsequently won the grand final on May 17, 2007, with 268 points. This victory marked the first time Serbia won the competition as an independent state.
Following her success, she maintained a busy recording schedule. She released several albums, including Naj, Najbolja in 2003, Bez Ljubavi in 2006, Nisam anđeo in 2008, and Anđeo in 2009. Her fifth studio album, Hrabro, was released in 2014, followed by Dolazi ljubav in 2023. She has also toured extensively, including her Druga strana ploče series and the Dolazi ljubav tour.
Television work and personal projects
Beyond her studio recordings, Marija Šerifović established a presence on television. In 2015, she joined the popular Serbian singing competition Zvezde Granda as a judge. She served in this role through 2025, acting as a mentor to various contestants, including winners Džejla Ramović and Mahir Mulalić.
She has also been the subject of personal media projects. In 2013, she premiered a documentary film titled Ispovest, or Confession, where she discussed personal challenges, her experiences with domestic abuse, and her sexual orientation. She also released an autobiography of the same name. In 2023, she became a mother to a son born via surrogacy.
Controversies and public life
Throughout her career, Marija has navigated public scrutiny. In 2008, she performed at a political rally for the Serbian Radical Party. She later expressed regret regarding this appearance, clarifying that it was a paid engagement rather than an expression of political support. This incident led to questions about her role as an ambassador for the European Union during the Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
Her public performances sometimes draw mixed reactions, such as a 2016 appearance at the National Theater in Belgrade, which caused indignation from some members of the actors' union. However, she remains a significant figure in Serbian pop music, often recognized for her balladic style and vocal delivery, which analysts have compared to the international standing of prominent Serbian athletes.
Birthday and age
Marija Šerifović was born on November 14, 1984, which makes Marija 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Marija shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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