Sofia Rotaru

Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru (born Sofia Mikhailovna Evdokimenko-Rotaru, née Rotar) - Ukrainian pop singer of Moldovan origin, People's Artist of the USSR (1988), People's Artist of Ukraine (1976), Hero of Ukraine (2002), National Legend of Ukraine (2021).

Date of Birth: 07.08.1947.

Place of Birth. Education. Born in the village of Marchintsy, Novoselytsia District, Chernivtsi Oblast. In 1968 she graduated from the conductor-choir department of Chernivtsi Music School. In 1974 - State Conservatory of Chișinău named after Muzika.

Career. 1971-1975 - Soloist of the Chernivtsi Philharmonic. Since 1975 - soloist of the Crimean Philharmonic.

Titles and Awards. People's Artist of Ukraine (1976), People's Artist of Moldova (1983), People's Artist of the USSR (1988).

In 2001, a new concert program 'My Life - My Love' was released on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of her stage activity. This was followed by new albums 'I Still Love You' (2002), 'The Only One' (2003), 'I Am the Sky!' (2004), 'I Loved Him' (2005), 'I Am Your Love' (2008).

In 2011, Sofia Rotaru was appointed chairwoman of the jury of the song contest of the annual International Music Festival 'Crimea Music Fest' in Yalta (Crimea, Ukraine).

Family. Husband - musician, head of the ensemble 'Chervona Ruta' Anatoly Evdokimenko (deceased 2002). Son - Ruslan Evdokimenko, music producer, designer. Daughter-in-law Svetlana Evdokimenko - 'part-time' also producer of the singer. Sofia Rotaru has two grandsons: Anatoly (born 1994) and Sofia (born 2001).

Sofia Rotaru has two brothers and three sisters. The youngest sister Alexandra Rotaru is also a well-known singer and honored artist of Ukraine.

In 2007, Sofia Rotaru reported an income higher than that of any other representatives of the domestic show and sports industry, according to the Ukrainian State Tax Service. She holds the honorary titles 'Honored Artist of Ukraine', 'Honored Artist of Moldova', 'Honored Artist of the USSR', 'Honored Artist of the Russian Federation'.

In May 2014, Sofia Rotaru was awarded the honors: the Order of the Ukrainian Star, the Order 'For Merits to the Fatherland' and the Order of Saint Princess Olga.

On August 22, 2021, President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Sofia Rotaru the title of National Legend of Ukraine.

About the Art. Sofia Rotaru is one of the most popular singers of the former USSR, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. Throughout her stage career, she has sung over 400 songs, many of which have become classics of Ukrainian pop ('Chervona Ruta', 'The Song Will Be Between Us', 'The Well', 'Garlic', etc.). 26 records and 12 CDs were released for the singer's songs.

She has performed in many countries around the world. She appeared in musical television films such as 'Chervona Ruta', 'The Song Will Be Between Us', 'Monologue about Love'. She played leading roles in feature films such as 'Where Are You, Love?' and 'Soul'.

In the 1980s, Rotaru, while continuing to experiment with pop stylistics, collaborated with V. Matski ('Lavender', 'Moon, Moon, Flowers, Flowers', 'It Was, It Was, It Was and Gone'), Yu. Saulsky ('Autumn Song'), E. Ptichkin ('Dedication') and even participated in a joint project with D. Tukhmanov and the group 'Mashina Vremeni'.

In the 1970s and 1980s, records of Rotaru were released on the 'Melodia' label: 'Chervona Ruta' (1972), 'Sofia Rotaru' (self-titled albums - 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981), 'Songs by Vladimir Ivasyuk sung by Sofia Rotaru' (1975, 1977), 'Tender Melody' (1985), 'Monologue about Love' (1987), 'Golden Heart' (1988) and others, which were also released abroad.

In the 1990s, Rotaru continued her active stage activity, participated in the 'Song of the Year' event, and released CDs ('Khutorianka', 1995, 'Love Me', 1998).

October 31, 2023.