Greece’s most popular Greek singer, Tzeni Vanou, died of cancer at a Piraeus hospital today.

Tzeni Vanou, born Eugenia Vrachnou in 1939 in Athens, Greece turned to music in the late 1950’s after meeting composer Mimis Plessas, whom she considered to be her mentor. She began her singing career as a vocalist with the ERT light music orchestra.

Vanou worked closely with several Greek songwriters, including Mimis Plessas, Mikis Theodorakis, Giorgos Mouzakis, Kostas Giannidis, Zak Iakovidis, Attik, Alekos Chrysovergis and Taskis Mousafiris.