Helena Paparizou is celebrating her birthday, marking another year in a career that has made her one of the most recognisable Greek singers of her generation.
Born on January 31, 1982, in Borås, Sweden, to Greek parents, Paparizou grew up in Gothenburg before launching her music career as part of the duo Antique.
At just 17, she formed Antique with childhood friend Nikos Panagiotidis. The duo quickly found success with their Greek language dance pop sound and went on to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2001.
Antique finished third with “Die for You”, giving Paparizou her first major Eurovision moment.
Four years later, she returned to Eurovision as a solo artist and changed Greek music history.
The night Helena Paparizou made history
In 2005, Paparizou represented Greece with “My Number One” at the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv.
The performance delivered Greece its first Eurovision victory, turning Paparizou into an overnight international star and establishing “My Number One” as one of the defining Eurovision songs of the 2000s.
Her Eurovision triumph was followed by a hugely successful solo career in Greece, with albums including Protereotita, Iparhi Logos, The Game of Love and Vrisko To Logo Na Zo achieving major commercial success.
Songs such as “Mambo!”, “An Me Dis Na Kleo” and “Anapantites Kliseis” have helped cement her place in Greek pop culture.
A career spanning more than two decades
Paparizou has remained a major presence in Greek entertainment more than two decades after her first Eurovision appearance.
In 2026, she continues to release music and perform, while also appearing in television and major music events. Recent highlights have included performances at the MAD Video Music Awards and the release of new material.
She has also recently paid tribute to fellow singer Giorgos Mazonakis following his death, recalling their friendship of more than 20 years and describing the late singer as a unique artist and person.
From a young Greek Swedish singer in Antique to Greece’s Eurovision winner, Paparizou has built a career that has connected audiences in Greece, Sweden and around the world.
Today, fans continue to celebrate the voice behind “My Number One” and one of the most recognisable names in modern Greek music.
