Jørgen Ingmann, one-half of Denmark’s first-ever Eurovision winning act, has passed away aged 89. According to his daughter he died on March 21 while using his computer: His heart simply stopped beating and he passed away without experiencing any pain.

Jørgen Ingmann Denmark Eurovision

The sad news comes almost one year after his winning entry was used as the intro for the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. Next month he would have celebrated his 90th birthday.

Jørgen and Grethe at the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest

In recent years Scandi success at Eurovision has been something of a given. But, rewinding to the beginning of the contest, it actually took the region eight years to score a victory. Jørgen and his then wife Grethe had the honor of bringing the trophy home to Denmark in 1963 with their song ”Dansevise” (Dance Ballad) — a moderately uptempo ode to dance.

The couple divorced twelve years later in 1975, after which Jørgen decided to go solo for another five years. He then retired as a musician and has avoided the public since then. Grethe passed away in 1990.

Björn and Benny from ABBA (Eurovision 1974) are now the oldest surviving male Eurovision winners. Luckily most of the female winners are still alive, including the first-ever winner Lys Assia.

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William Cahill
9 years ago

Rest in peace.

Rayman
Rayman
9 years ago

Rest in peace, Jørgen and Grethe, you had a very nice song that year.

Mario My Vision of Gay Love~ I Look Back On My *YESTERDAY* 2005
Mario My Vision of Gay Love~ I Look Back On My *YESTERDAY* 2005
9 years ago

His winning entry *Dansevise* was truly beautiful… <3
The old era of that time has its own beauty and must was special.. 🙂
It was the golden era of Beatles.. 🙂
What a coincidence that the boy band that will gonna represent my adored Denmark in the upcoming Diamond Vision are called the danish Beatles from the danish media.. 🙂

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-
9 years ago

‘Dansevise’ is one of my favorite song in ’60 decade.Good road and I wish to meet your wife Jorgen.Grethe & Jorgen Ingmann together!

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
9 years ago

Just realized, and surprised no one has mentioned this earlier, but with Udo Jurgens also passing earlier, would the ESC do a tribute, perhaps in the semifinal interval? Time will tell I guess.

RIP Jorgen. I found this song about a year ago, very good for that period in the ESC.

oooops
oooops
9 years ago

Translation of Mannes comment: The best of the Danish winners

Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love ~ *In A Better World*
Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love ~ *In A Better World*
9 years ago

Oh….He was 89 years old….He must managed to live full life…

Rest In Love..
Never 4gotten..

Lars Olsen
Lars Olsen
9 years ago

So sad! Jørgen and Grethe are a piece of Danish music history and the are both gone 🙁 RIP Love Dansevise <3

Hannes
9 years ago

Rest in peace Jorgen 🙁

Manne
9 years ago

Den bästa av Danmarks vinnare

davved
davved
9 years ago

RIP

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

At least he died feeling no pain.

Patinka
Patinka
9 years ago

He probably was reasing wiwibloggs when he died 🙁 RIP IN PEACE