Childhood and youth
Athena Delionidi was born on October 3, 1960 in the Kazakh city of Kentau. Among the girl's relatives were Greeks. She received an unusual name, corresponding to the nationality of her ancestors, in honor of her grandmother. The woman introduced her granddaughter to national songs, instilling a love for the traditions of the family.
Athena spent her childhood in warm Sukhumi. She grew up in a family with conservative views, where much attention was paid to education. The girl's parents and sisters loved art and often went to the theater. Over time, Delionidi began to perceive the established rules as restrictions that interfered with self-expression. Despite the love and respect for her parents, Athena decided to move to another city.
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Athena with her mother
At the age of 17, the girl ended up in Leningrad. In 1979, she became a student at the Institute of Culture and Arts, and in parallel with her studies, she managed to earn extra money. The fugitive's decision was a blow to her father. For six months he did not communicate with his daughter, although she did her best to find an opportunity for contact - she wrote letters and often called. Athena managed to convince her father that in the big city she behaves decently and does not allow unnecessary things.
To provide herself with a decent living, the girl took on any job. She even had to unload the wagons. The hardships of living independently were more than compensated for by the city views, atmosphere and architecture that the student loved.
Singer Athena: biography, year of birth, early years
Athena was born in 1962, October 4th. Her name is real, it is of Greek origin. A girl was born in Kazakhstan into a creative family: her parents loved to dance, sing and attend opera and ballet. Her younger sister soon also joined the creative life.
Thanks to her grandmother, from childhood she became familiar with the song world of the Greek people, where the roots of her parents lead. The singer Athena herself mentioned these episodes of her life more than once. The biography, the family of the artist - all this is very interesting and we will talk about this in detail in the article.
More than once, relatives supported me in creative endeavors and helped develop my talent and direct it in the right direction. This makes her style of performance individual and completely unparalleled in Russian show business.
She spent her entire childhood and youth in Sukhumi, but at the age of 17 she ran away to Leningrad to start studying and working part-time. Due to her decision and actions, she did not communicate with her father for a whole year, who was offended. Despite her regular calls, letters and requests, for some time her father was adamant.
The wonderful singer Athena, whose biography, year of birth and the beginning of her career are of interest to fans, was able to reach incredible heights in the music industry. This woman surprises not only with her temperament and emotionality, but also with her childish naivety, openness and trustfulness towards everyone around her.
In addition, the singer has such a charming voice that it is able to ignite a spark of hope and faith in the listener and make them realize that everything will be fine. This is her essence, her true mood, she rightfully bears the name of a mythical goddess.
Personal life
Athena met her beloved man in her youth, during her student years. The union with the spouse turned out to be short-term: the personal life of the young people did not work out. In an interview, the artist admitted that this was her fault. Thinking about creative development, the woman did not see herself as a keeper of home comfort, spending time at the stove and with children. She always lived on stage.
After an unsuccessful marriage, Athena tried to build relationships with other men. In 2015, she publicly stated that she was in search of a person with whom she would feel like behind a stone wall. It is unknown whether the performer’s heart is free, since she tries not to advertise the details of the relationship.
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Athena and daughter Anastasia Daughter
Anastasia remained a pleasant reminder of marriage for Athena. Now Nastya has her own family. In January 2021, she gave her mother a granddaughter. The newly-made grandmother dotes on her loved ones, singing the praises of people dear to her heart on her Instagram account. On her social network profile, the artist shares personal photos and videos, as well as posts about concerts and events at which she performs. Photos with famous people from among Athena's star friends are published here.
Despite her advanced age, the celebrity looks great. Genes have an effect, because in joint photographs with their mother, both women look fit and fresh. The vocalist regularly does gymnastics and stays in shape. The artist's height is 165 cm, and her weight is unknown.
Music
A new stage in Athena’s creative biography began in the 1990s. The girl got a job at a restaurant called “Neva”. He was one of the establishments regularly visited by representatives of the criminal world. The atmosphere here was not conducive to enjoying performances. The soloist recalled that she often had to run home through the back door.
Hard times brought great life experience. Therefore, Athena does not hesitate to call herself a “tavern singer.” The performer considers the “restaurant” school of vocals to be strong, because she has to sing without a soundtrack. Among the people who supported her during this period was St. Petersburg actress and friend of Athena Anna Samokhina.
In 2001, the vocalist was offered cooperation by producer Vladislav Sinitsky. According to the contract, the singer had to go on stage under the pseudonym Thais. Athena didn’t like the idea, but the music offered was of high quality, and the artist decided to try working in this format. The debut took place in 2002. The first disc released was the album “Marafetic”.
Athena and Tatyana Bulanova - “Women’s Friendship”
In 2005, Athena started as a solo performer. Her first independent album was called “Sky in October”. Since 2010, the vocalist has been performing with the support of accompanists and live music.
Athena Delionidi tried her hand not only as a singer, but also as an actress. The vocalist participated in the filming of the serial films “Liteiny”, “Streets of Broken Lanterns”, “Nevsky”.
By 2021, the artist’s repertoire consisted of compositions released on nine discs. At concerts she performs pop chansons and romances, lyrical songs and compositions in foreign languages. Athena's songs regularly occupy the top lines of radio charts. The vocalist releases videos for hits like “Smile”, “The Soul Screams”, and also publishes recordings of performances of such works as “It will be so” and “Everything will be fine”.
Athena: “Together with Anna Samokhina we spent days and nights at work”
It is believed that for an artist, in addition to talent, an excellent repertoire and inimitable charisma, a name is very important - an unusual, bright and sonorous name. The singer Athena had this name from birth. Just like talent and charisma. The repertoire is more difficult: it took a long time and meticulously to collect it bit by bit. Today, the popular singer already has 9 albums, which have appeared, one after another, since 2005. Many songs became hits, received a lot of prestigious prizes and awards and went to the people.
— Athena, tell me, did you know from childhood that you would be a singer?
“I didn’t want to be a singer, I just sang for myself and had fun.” But everything was determined by chance: I was married and separated. I was walking along the road, crying, a friend saw me and asked why I was crying. For me, a southern girl, divorce was very difficult. Now many women don’t care; they can get married and separate several times. And at that time (it was 1989), a divorced woman and even with a child was a shame. Moreover, I didn’t know how to tell my parents, especially my father, about this. So, of course, I was very upset, I was walking in tears and then I met my friend. So, when he saw me in tears and found out the reason, he suggested going somewhere to distract himself. He took me to a restaurant on Nevsky Prospekt, but I don’t drink practically at all, so, sometimes, a couple of glasses of wine. And this was just the case when one glass did its dirty work - I got drunk and wanted to sing! I’ve always sung, from a young age - from kindergarten to college. As a result, I go to the musicians, say that I want to sing, they answer that it’s not free, I don’t question, it doesn’t cost more than money! Well, here I am standing on stage and singing “Without me, my beloved,” all this with tears in my eyes, naturally. Then I see that everyone around is already crying, both the waiters and other guests of the restaurant - everyone was so touched by my performance. Apparently I also impressed the musicians, because they invited me to work with them. And so my singing career began.
Photo: press materials
— So you started working in a restaurant?
— I worked in restaurants, in variety shows, all this lasted 16 years. Without undue modesty, I can say that I was the most sought-after and highest paid singer in St. Petersburg. People came from all over the country, from different cities, to listen to me, word of mouth worked in such a way that some told others about me. The fact that I studied at the Institute of Culture, of course, also helped, since I was not just a singer, but also an entertainer and a mass entertainer. But the main thing is that I didn’t just sing, but tried to look into the soul of every person sitting in the hall. After the speech, I could sit down with a person at the table and talk heart-to-heart with him for several hours about what worries him, what worries him, there was even such a thing as discouraging people from suicide. In a word, I really loved my job and people loved me.
Photo: press materials
- But then you decided to go further. What influenced you?
— Once upon a time, actress Anna Samokhina noticed me. As Anya herself later told me, she saw me on stage in a restaurant and immediately realized that she wanted me to sing in her establishments (she owned two restaurants in St. Petersburg). So when my restaurant closed, I came to her, and we ended up working side by side for seven years. We spent days and nights together at work, practically living there, since both loved what they did. We always had a lot of guests, including famous and famous ones, we organized holidays, New Year's events, weddings - everything! And then the time came that Anya’s career as an actress seemed to receive a second wind - she became very much in demand in cinema and theater, often went on tour, filmed, and I, of course, really missed her, I missed her. At some point, I realized that I couldn’t do this without Samokhina and told the guys that I was leaving. They were both surprised and upset; after all, there were two establishments and most of the clients were guests who came to me, “to look at me.” And then Anya herself told me: “Athena, you grew up from a restaurant singer, you need to go on stage.” Honestly, I regret it. I felt calmer in the restaurant, I made good money, I didn’t worry about anything, I wasn’t nervous, I sang what I wanted. But everything happened the way it happened, Anya gave me this push and I realized that I really had to move on.
Photo: press materials
- But we had to start somewhere? What was your first step after being a restaurant singer?
— I met producer Vladislav Sinitsky, who suggested that I make the “Tais” project. We recorded two albums, which, by the way, are still sold today. But it was one hundred percent chanson - with thieves' jargon and all the delights of this genre, although without the obscenities. But for the third album, I was already offered to record songs that contained swear words, and I categorically refused. As a result, they took a young girl, and I went free swimming. People still write to me asking if I perform these songs and I’m already tired of answering that I have nothing to do with this, because I don’t accept swearing!
— And how did events develop further?
“During the existence of the Tais project, I realized what I’m capable of, that I’m in demand - albums are selling, people go to my concerts. We did not part with the producer on the best note, as is often the case with artists. He offered me to buy the rights to songs from two “Tais” albums, but I didn’t do this, so today, despite the fact that some viewers ask me to perform them, I don’t do it. But even without them I feel good. I started collecting my own repertoire bit by bit, recording songs, going to radio stations and asking them to be listened to and put into rotation (smiles).
— Did you write the songs yourself or work with the authors?
— My first two important songs, “Sky in October” and “Dragonfly,” were written by Igor Azarov and Regina Lisits. We made a video for “Sky”, which was directed by Alexander Yagudin. In general, the process has begun.
— How did the station program directors react? Did you take the songs on air right away?
- What do you mean, of course not. But I was not just persistent, but literally starved me to death! She said that I would spend the night in their studio until they played the song (smiles). In the end, I achieved my goal and my song was taken to one well-known radio station. I don’t know how I managed it, maybe I was lucky, maybe perseverance and work yielded results, but I never paid a penny for broadcasts.
Photo: press materials
— They say that you are very kind to your fans...
— Yes, I call them “Athenians” (smiles). In addition to concerts, I hold meetings with listeners, where we communicate as close people. Plus, I’ve been doing charity work for 12 years now, organizing fundraising concerts, selling paintings that I started painting several years ago, and visiting children’s hospitals. I don’t like to talk about it or show it off; I prefer to do good deeds in silence. Although, I can’t help but say that I have a medal from Mother Teresa, which was awarded to me several years ago in Belgium.
— They say that to exist in our show business, you need to have nerves of steel and an iron grip. What is show business for you personally?
— For me, show business is a test sent from above. But I can’t live without him anymore. I can’t live without the stage, without my Athenians, sometimes it seems to me that I should even die on stage, like a real artist. This is already an integral part of my life, although several times I told myself “that’s enough!” because I was tired. But time passed, and I realized that I could not live without music, without creativity. True, there was a situation that made me reconsider my attitude towards some people. I needed a large sum of money, but I didn’t want to borrow, I just asked to give me a job. In response I heard: “Yes, Athena, of course, everything will be,” but then the people disappeared. And today, when I got back on my feet, when I have an active creative life, when everything is “boiling” on my Instagram, my colleagues began to return (smiles). They started writing, calling, inquiring, asking to be invited to this or that event, offering to record a duet. Previously, I probably would have said that I don’t want to and I won’t, sort of in retaliation for the fact that they didn’t help me once. And now I make it simpler - I delete it from my contacts or block it. That's all. I don’t deal with showdowns; I have neither the time nor the desire for this. I cleared myself of unnecessary people. And those who turned out to be true friends are with me.
Athena now
Athena continues to conduct concert activities, regularly goes on tour, and is also a philanthropist. The artist has an official website, where news of her creative biography is reported and a schedule of upcoming performances is published.
Athena - "Smile"
The singer supports patients facing cancer. In addition, on her Instagram page she draws attention to the problems of those in need. The celebrity participates in organizing fundraisers in favor of sick children, as well as caring people who help animals.
