Who Is Toto Cutugno? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Toto Cutugno, the illustrious Italian singer-songwriter, was born on July 7, 1943. Despite passing away in 2023, Cutugno left behind a remarkable legacy that continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Versatile and immensely talented, he became known for his emotive ballads and engaging performances. His music prominently reflects Italian culture and has earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival prizes.
Occupation | Pop Singer |
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Date of Birth | July 7, 1943 |
Age | 80 Years |
Birth Place | Fosdinovo, Tuscany, Kingdom of Italy |
Horoscope | Cancer |
Country | Italy |
Date of death | 22 August, 2023 |
Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Toto Cutugno's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Toto Cutugno's physical presence was as captivating as his music. At the time of his passing, he stood approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighed around 160 pounds (72 kg). His charismatic stage presence was complemented by a well-maintained physique, highlighting his lifelong commitment to fitness and health.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Toto Cutugno was known for being a private individual when it came to his personal relationships. He was married to his wife, Giovanna, and had two children, ensuring that his family always remained his priority. Throughout his career, Cutugno's romantic life was not a focal point in the media, as he preferred to keep his private affairs away from the spotlight.
Outside of Italy, Cutugno often toured in the United States, regularly performing in New York City and Atlantic City; he also toured Australia three times, represented by Italo-Australian impresario Duane Zigliotto.
Countries where he was very popular include Germany, Spain, Romania, Turkey and Russia, where in 2013 he performed "L'Italiano" accompanied by the Red Army Choir.
In March 2019, a group of politicians from the Ukrainian Parliament tried to stop Cutugno from performing in Kyiv, demanding through an open letter to the head of the country's security services, Vasyl Hrytsak, to ban the singer from entering Ukrainian territory, labelling him as "a Russian war supporter in Ukraine" – probably because of his succ
ess in Russia and his relationship with the Red Army Choir.
Two days before, fellow Italian singer Al Bano had been blacklisted on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets. Cutugno rejected the accusations, describing himself as apolitical and highlighting how he had refused to perform in Crimea following its 2014 Russian occupation. Despite the controversy, the concert was eventually held in Kyiv on 23 March.
The same year, Cutugno had his last significant television role as one of the coaches in the musical show. In August of that same year, he made one of his last live performances, as a guest in Jovanotti's Jova Beach Tour.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2023, Toto Cutugno’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million. This fortune was accumulated from his extensive career in music, including album sales, performances, and royalties. His enduring popularity kept him financially secure, allowing him to invest wisely in various ventures throughout his life.
Career, Business, and Investments
Toto Cutugno had an illustrious musical career spanning over five decades. Known for his hits like "L'Italiano" and "Serenata," he garnered international acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Besides his musical endeavors, Cutugno engaged in various business investments, including music production and television appearances that showcased his multifaceted talents. His contributions to Italian music have solidified him as an everlasting icon.
Cutugno began his musical career as a drummer, and at 19 he founded his first band, Toto e i Tati. He later formed the disco band Albatros together with Lino Losito and Mario Limongelli.
He also started a career as a songwriter, contributing some of French-American singer Joe Dassin most well-known songs such as "L'été indien", "Et si tu n'existais pas", and "Le Jardin du Luxembourg" (written with Vito Pallavicini). He also co-wrote Dalida's "Monday Tuesday...
Laissez moi danser " ("Voglio l'anima" in its Italian version), which achieved Platinum record status shortly after being released, as well as songs for Johnny Hallyday, Mireille Mathieu, Ornella Vanoni, Domenico Modugno, Claude François, Gigliola Cinquetti, Gérard Lenorman, Michel Sardou, Hervé Vilard, and Paul Mauriat.
Social Network
Despite his passing, Toto Cutugno's influence persists on social media platforms, where fans continue to share music and memories associated with his work. His official social media accounts and fan pages serve as a tribute to his life and career, keeping his spirit alive and engaging with a new generation of music lovers.
In 1980, Cutugno returned to the Sanremo Music Festival and won the competition with the song "Solo noi" ("Only us"). However, Cutugno's affiliation with the festival is mostly remembered for "L'Italiano" ("The Italian"), a song he presented in 1983.
Originally intended for Adriano Celentano – who declined to sing it because, despite liking the song, he did not feel comfortable singing the refrain sono un italiano vero ("I am a true Italian") – "L'Italiano"'s recapitulation of some of Italy's most popular social traits made the song very popular with Italian expats.
Although the song finished only fifth in Sanremo, it went on to become Cutugno's biggest international hit.
Cutugno would finish second in six more editions of the Sanremo festival: in 1984 with the song "Serenata" ("Serenade"); in 1987 with "Figli" ("Children"); in 1988 with "Emozioni" ("Emotions"); in 1989 with the song "Le mamme" ("Mothers"); in 1990 with the song "Gli amori" ("Loves", but entitled "Good Love Gone Bad" in Ray Charles's version); and i
n 2005 with Annalisa Minetti with the song "Come noi nessuno al mondo" ("No one else in the world like us"); a record which would lead him to be nicknamed "the eternal second" (l'eterno secondo).
Cutugno shares the record for the highest number of participations in the festival – 15, namely in 1976, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2008, and 2010; one of only five artists (as of 2023), the others being Al Bano, Anna Oxa, Milva and Peppino di Capri.
In 2013, Cutugno was awarded a lifetime career award at the Sanremo Festival.
Education
Toto Cutugno's formal education in music significantly contributed to his career. While there is limited public information about his early academic pursuits, it is well known that his passion for music and performances from a young age shaped his development as an artist. His dedication ensured that he became one of Italy's most respected musicians, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.