Dalida (born Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, Cairo, 17 January 1933 - Paris, 3 May 1987) was an Italian-born, French-naturalised singer and actress who became one of the best-selling artists of the 20th century. She recorded in ten languages and sold over 140 million records worldwide, earning 45 gold records and becoming the first artist ever to receive a diamond disc. Her career, which ran from 1956 to her death in 1987, produced enduring classics such as "Bambino", "Gigi l'amoroso", "Paroles, paroles" and "Salma ya salama", while her turbulent personal life - marked by a series of tragedies - cemented her status as a tragic icon of French chanson.
A stage tribute show "A Tribute to Dalida", starring singer Mikayella Stephan, ran at the Peacock Theatre at Sadler's Wells in London from 19 to 22 June 2025.
New remixes of Dalida classics including "Salma Ya Salama" (Kev Lavigne remix), "Helwa Ya Baladi" (Ross Quinn Remix), "Paroles Paroles" and "Mourir sur scène" were released on Spotify in 2026.
The Dalida Club has announced a tribute gathering in Lyon for October 2026, with a larger Paris event planned for May 2027 to mark the 40th anniversary of her death.
A remix of "Salma ya salama" by Abstraal & PEGAZI, available in French, Egyptian Arabic and Italian versions, was released in 2024.
