Sofia Mikhailovna Rotaru is a Ukrainian pop singer of Moldovan origin.
Place of Birth, Education
She was born on August 7, 1947 in the village of Marshyntsi, Novoselytsky district, Chernivtsi region.
In 1968, she completed her studies at the conducting and choral department of the Chernivtsi Music College.
In 1974 she graduated from the Chisinau Institute of Arts named after Musicescu.
Career
In the period from 1971 to 1975 she worked as a soloist of the Chernivtsi Philharmonic, and since 1975 she became a soloist of the Crimean Philharmonic.
In 1981, the musical film “Visiting Sofia Rotaru’s Family” was released, in 1984 – “Sofia Rotaru Invites You”, and in 1991 – “Caravan of Love”.
In the 1980s, the singer continued to experiment with various areas of pop music, collaborating with Vladimir Matetsky (“Lavender”, “Moon, Moon, Flowers, Flowers”, “It Was, Was, Was and Passed”), Yuri Saulsky (“Autumn Song”), Evgeny Ptichkin (“Dedication”). In particular, she joined a joint project with David Tukhmanov and the band “Time Machine”.
In the 1990s, she continued to perform actively, participated in the Song of the Year festival and released CDs, including Khutoryanka (1995) and Love Me (1998).
In 2001, Rotaru presented a new concert program – “My Life – My Love”, which she timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of her creative activity.
In subsequent years, new music albums saw the world: “I still love you” (2002), “The Only One” (2003), “Heaven is me!” (2004), “I Loved Him” (2005) and “I Am Your Love” (2008).
In 2011, she headed the jury of the song contest, which was held as part of the annual International Music Festival Crimea Music Fest in Yalta.
On September 2, 2013, Rotaru presented a new single called “Forgive”, which was dedicated to the tenth anniversary of collaboration with composer Ruslan Kvinta. By the end of the same year, she released another composition – “You are the best”.
On January 24, 2014, a previously unknown song “Farewell” was released, the recording of which dates back to around 1998.
In 2015, Rotaru presented two new songs – “Let’s Arrange a Summer” and “Love Lives”.
In the fall of 2016, together with her sister, she went on a tour of German cities.
Achievements and awards
In general, Rotaru is one of the most famous pop singers on the territory of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), as well as in Ukraine and Russia. During her career, she performed more than 400 songs, many of which became classics of the Ukrainian stage, among them – “Chervona Ruta”, “The Song Will Be Between Us”, “Vodohrai”, “Cheremshina” and others.
During her career, she performed concerts in many countries of the world. She participated in the musical TV films “Chervona Ruta”, “The Song Will Be Between Us” and “Monologue about Love”. She also played the main roles in the films “Where Are You, Love?” and “Soul”.
The singer also has a number of state titles and awards. In 1976 she was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine, in 1983 – People’s Artist of Moldova, and in 1988 – People’s Artist of the USSR.
In 2002, near the International Center for Culture and Arts in Kyiv, her star was laid on the Alley of Stars, and the Order of the Star of Ukraine was awarded. In August of the same year, the then President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma signed a decree awarding the singer the title of Hero of Ukraine.
On August 22, 2021, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Rotaru with the National Legend of Ukraine award.
Marital Status
Rotaru was married to musician Anatoly Evdokimenko, who at one time led the ensemble “Chervona Ruta”. He died in 2002.
Their son Ruslan Evdokimenko works as a music producer and designer, and his son’s wife, Svetlana Evdokimenko, is the singer’s producer.
