The well-known Italian singer Ornella Vanoni passed away yesterday, Friday, at her home in Milan at the age of 91, according to media reports.

Her death is believed to have been due to cardiac arrest, according to a report by the newspaper Corriere della Sera.

L'ultima intervista: «Quando Paoli si sparò, andai da lui di notte. Ho avuto tanti uomini ma ne ho amati 4. E voglio decidere io quando andarmene» https://t.co/vAxs5V5Hog

— Corriere della Sera (@Corriere) November 21, 2025

One of the most prominent figures in Italian music, she was also an actress and television presenter.

She studied at the Piccolo Teatro of Milan under director Giorgio Strehler. Among others, she collaborated with actor, director and Nobel Prize-winning playwright Dario Fo.

Her musical career began in 1956 and continued until just a few days ago.

Ornella Vanoni è morta. La cantante si è spenta nella sua Milano a 91 anni.

Nel giugno scorso l'Università degli Studi di Milano le ha conferito la laurea honoris causa in Musica, Cultura, Media, Perfomance a Ornella Vanoni. "Non ho mai studiato – ha detto Vanoni, ironica – sono… pic.twitter.com/g0SccYr7an

— La Stampa (@LaStampa) November 22, 2025

Her distinctive voice was instantly recognisable. She had worked with many acclaimed musicians such as Gino Paoli, Paolo Conte, Fabrizio De André and Lucio Dalla.

Among her best-known songs are “L’ appuntamento”, “Senza Fine”, “La musica è finita”, “Tristezza” and “Io ti darò di più”.

She had taken part in eight Sanremo Italian Song Festivals and until last week she was appearing on a programme on the private Italian channel La Nove.

Ornella Vanoni suffered from depression and at times withdrew from the public eye, but she always managed to return to the stage and to her special relationship with her audience, characterised by the irony, self-mockery and honesty that defined her.