Page 29 - Italian-American Herald - November 2024

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
NEWS FROM ITALY LOCAL
Entertainer Caterina Valente, who sang in 11 languages, dies at 93
NOVEMBER2024 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 29
Italian-American Herald
The multilingual singer Caterina Valente has recently passed away, according to a spokesperson. The performer was 93.
Valente was an Italian-French-German multilingual singer, guitarist and dancer. She spoke six languages and sang in 11.
The performer, who became a star across Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, died peace- fully at her house in the Swiss city of Lugano.
Valente was born in Paris in 1931 to Italian parents. In addition to Italian, she sang in a number of languages, including English, French, and German. In Italy she is best remembered for her Italian rendition of Lloyd Price’s 1959 hit single "Personality."
She achieved major success in Germany with hits including "Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe," "Ciao, Ciao, Bambina" and "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Honolulu Strandbikini." She also recorded “Personalita,” which was released in 1960 as “Personality,” and became a popular song covered by other artists here
in the U.S.
After winning Germany's Bambi media
award in 2005, she retired from public life but remained active on social media. Late in life, she commented on Facebook: "Old age is not for weaklings.”
Valente’s funeral was private and no further ceremonies or memorial services are planned.
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PEG DEGRASSA ACCEPTS ATHENA AWARD FROM DELCO CHAMBER
PHOTO BY JESSICA HOFFMAN
Longtime Delaware County (Pa.) journalist Peg DeGrassa accepts the 2024 Athena Leadership Award from Delco Chamber of Commerce President Trish Colfield on Oct. 9. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony to honor DeGrassa’s 45-year commitment to Delaware County journalism and community advocacy. The AthenaAwardisthelatestinalonglineof tributesandhonorsforDeGrassa’s contributions to local journalism.
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