[Archive 2016-12-13] Macedonia's 'gypsy music queen' Esma Redžepova dies
Historical Wikinews report from 2016-12-13. Esma Redžepova, a Macedonian singer nicknamed the "Queen of Gypsy Music", was on Sunday reported to have died. She was 73. An
Historical archive — originally published 2016-12-13. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.
Esma Redžepova, a Macedonian singer nicknamed the "Queen of Gypsy Music", was on Sunday reported to have died. She was 73.
An ethnic Roma, Redžepova spent decades performing and was an early Balkan singer to use the Romany language. She combined Roma, Macedonian, and contemporary music in her work and also campaigned for humanitarian issues such as women's rights and for Roma people.
Her worldwide career saw her collaborate with many young Balkan artists as well as composer Stevo Teodosievski, whom she married. She was thrice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and fostered over 40 children. Her varied performances included singing for world leaders, representing Macedonia at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, and recording the opening song for the film Borat.
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Text adapted from Macedonia's 'gypsy music queen' Esma Redžepova dies by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.
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