Ciao Raffaella.
Italian legend Raffaella Carrà passed away on Monday aged 78. A huge fan of the Eurovision Song Contest — and a woman very much loved by Eurovision fans — she was Italy’s first spokesperson after their return to Eurovision in 2011. She was also highly tipped to be involved in Eurovision 2022. She passed away following a long-term illness.
Her long-term partner, Sergio Iapino, said: “Raffaella has left us. She has gone to a better world, where her humanity, her unmistakable laugh and her extraordinary talent will shine forever.”
Raffaella Carrà was an icon of the 70s, and was extremely popular in Italy, Spain, France, Latin America and other countries in Europe. She was both a singer and a TV host, and she even hosted Spain’s national selection for Eurovision 2008, Salvemos Eurovisión.
It was not her only touchpoint with Eurovision. In 2011, when Italy came back to the contest, she worked double duty as the commentator and the spokesperson.
A career of over 40 years took her all around the globe. Raffaella was responsible for a number of songs that are now part of life’s soundtrack for many generations of Italians and Spaniards, who were among her most ardent fans.
In 1978, Carrà enjoyed chart success in the UK too with her song “Do It, Do It Again.” It reached No 9 and spent 12 weeks on the chart.
Carrà presented various programs in Spain related to the European competition. In 2008, before Italy had returned to the contest, she had several Eurovision contestants sing on her hit Saturday night program Carràmba! Che fortuna. They included Dima Bilan, Ani Lorak, Simon Mathew and Pirates of the Sea.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and fans.
6 months… Raffaella, I miss you
So so sad …. she was iconic and we will always remember her
as for many Italians, to me Raffa nazionale seemed to be immortal, always there, with her unique laugh, her energy, her love… and she will keep being it <3
Unbelievable. All in the midst of discussing her being an almost-guaranteed host for the next contest.
Rest in peace.
I was so sad to hear that yesterday, and shocked too. I thought we could have her in Eurovision as the Green Room host.
RIP
Raffaella, I’ll really miss you, I’m very heartbroken, I couldn’t believe it yesterday.
Icon, legend, open-minded, beautiful, intelligent, gracious, joyful, and with a big big heart.
RIP
I am speechless</3 another legend gone I am devastated as I hope she would have something at Eurovision 2022 RIP legend
Sad, sad news.
We will not forget you Raffaela, we will love your songs forever!
Devastated. Heartbroken. Shocked. She was a gargantuan iconic star living on earth.
This is devastating.
I was really hoping that she would have hosted the contest next year. She was such a key figure in getting Italy to come back in 2011 after a long absence. Italy ….actually no, …the world has lost an icon today. Condolences to her family.
RIP Rafaella Carra,
do it again, with love
Not understanding why I’m downvoted.
Don’t get engaged. There will always be people who doesn’t have a clue about the real sense of their lives. You just keep enjoying everything as if it were the first time.
Haters gonna hate, even in a comment section that deserves no downvotes whatsoever
Thanks everyone x
I honestly have no words. Truly heartbreaking. I learned that on the unofficial ESC discord server and I. Was. Shocked. It’s still a sweet coincidence that she lived through Italy’s 3rd ever victory that she had been waiting for for so long! Fly high Raffaella…
What a sad news. I liked Rafaella Carra very much as singer. My condoleances to her family and friends
Well she may not have lived to host Eurovision but she did see an Italian win. So sad to see this news.
She was amazing, her death has been felt throughout Spain as well. Some kind of tribute to her during ESC 2022 would be lovely.
Absolutely! Like what they did with Lys Assia in 2017
Stefano Coletta, director of Rai1, confirmed he was thinking to her as host of next Sanremo and Eurovision 2022. I believe, if I remember correctly, she did host Sanremo years ago. But maybe I am wrong. A great loss. Just last year and the year before she hosted a very funny question and answer show on Rai3. The most funny episode was Raffaella Carrà interviewing the other famous italian star, Loretta Goggi (singer, actress, tv host, imitator) on a golf court, with Raffaella Carrà driving the golf cart with Goggi sitting beside. They were having a lot of fun. Memorable… Read more »
Deeply saddening news! Rafaella was clearly a vibrant personality who clearly loved life and I think would have a wonderful host for next years Eurovision such a sad day for all our Italian followers.
Not to mention she was one of the 20th century’s greatest gay icons
I don’t know a lot about her but the few seconds wphen she gave italy’s points during ESC 2011. I loved her and the way she was acclaimed by the public. RIP Raffaella. The world will remember you.
Really hope for a tribute in Eurovision 2022 of Raffaella.
RIP angel, fly high. You will always be in my heart.
Much love to all the Italians from Buenos Aires Argentina.
oh they most definitely will!
Raffaella, rimarrai sempre nei nostri cuori.
I know it is totally off-topic but Mélovin (Ukraine 2018) had his coming-out during a concert but producers cutted the scene out.
Was it really necessary under this post?
R.I.P.
Rest in peace this extraordinary star that now shines in heaven. Here in Mexico so many grew up with her songs, her TV programs that she made here and in South America and Spain. She had that special gift, when you saw her in TV you were happy, no matter how bad was your day. We will miss her very much…
at least she lived to see italy win again, i’m sure wherever, she’s satisfied
Raffaella ci manchi tanto!
I’m devasted…it’s also thanks to her if my country returned to Eurovision in 2011.
I’ll never forget her energy, her smile.
This is very sad news – to think that a few weeks ago we were wondering if she would host next year’s Eurovision!
I will remember her well, just with her beautiful smile on her face. May she rest in peace.
So true, really hope for a tribute in Eurovision 2022. I’m sure there will be one in Sanremo.
Very sad news… She was a great lady. Condolences… R.I.P.