Andrea Bocelli is a world-renowned Italian tenor who has enchanted millions of listeners with his beautiful voice and versatile repertoire.
He is one of the most successful and influential singers of all time, crossing genres from classical to pop, opera to duets, and sacred to secular.
He is also a remarkable example of resilience and courage, overcoming blindness and other challenges to pursue his passion for music and share it with the world.
Profile
- Full name: Andrea Angel Bocelli
- Date of birth: September 22, 1958
- Age: 66 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Lajatico, near Pisa, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Profession: Singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist
- Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
- Parents: Alessandro and Edi Bocelli
- Siblings: Alberto Bocelli
- Spouse: Veronica Berti (m. 2014)
- Children: Amos Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: $100 million
Early Life and Education
Andrea Bocelli, now 66 years old, was born on September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, a small town in the Tuscan countryside.
He was the first child of Alessandro and Edi Bocelli, who were farmers and played musical instruments.
He inherited his love for music from his parents, who exposed him to various genres and encouraged him to sing and play.
At age six, he began taking piano lessons and later learned to play the flute, saxophone, guitar, trumpet, and drums.
Bocelli was born with congenital glaucoma, a condition that impaired his vision from birth.
He became completely blind at the age of 12 after a soccer accident caused a brain haemorrhage.
Despite this tragedy, he did not give up on his dreams and continued to study and perform music.
He also excelled academically, attending a boarding school for the blind and graduating from the University of Pisa with a law degree in 1980.
He practised law as a state-appointed attorney for a year before focusing on music.
Personal Life
Andrea Bocelli has been married twice and has three children. He met his first wife, Enrica Cenzatti, in 1987 at a piano bar where he performed.
They married in 1992 and had two sons, Amos and Matteo, both musicians. They separated in 2002 and divorced in 2009 but remained on good terms.
In 2002, he met his second wife and manager, Veronica Berti, at a party. They fell in love and had a daughter, Virginia, born in 2012. They married in 2014 at the Sanctuary of Montenero in Livorno, Italy, on their 12th anniversary.
They live in a villa in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany, with their family and several dogs and horses.
Bocelli is a devout Catholic and a supporter of various humanitarian causes.
He founded the Andrea Bocelli Foundation in 2011, which aims to empower people and communities in need through education, health, and art.
He is also a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO and a member of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
Career
Andrea Bocelli’s career spans over three decades and covers various musical genres.
He has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music, three greatest hits albums, and nine complete operas.
Some of his most famous songs include “Con te partirò”, “The Prayer”, “Time to Say Goodbye”, and “Fall on Me”.
He has sold over 75 million records worldwide and received several awards and honours, including the Grammy, the Golden Globe, the Billboard, the Brit, and the Classic Brit Awards.
Bocelli has performed for four US presidents, three popes, many prime ministers, royals, and celebrities.
He has collaborated with some of the world’s most famous singers and musicians, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, and Lady Gaga.
He has also participated in many charity concerts and events, such as Live 8, Pavarotti and Friends, and Music for Hope.
Bocelli is widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of all time and one of the most influential artists in history.
He has been praised for his powerful and expressive voice, technical skill and versatility, emotional and spiritual depth, and ability to connect with audiences of different cultures and backgrounds.
He has been described as “the fourth tenor”, “the voice of God”, and “a living legend”.
Awards
Some of the awards that Andrea Bocelli has won throughout his career are:
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Sì” in 2019
- Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “The Prayer” in 1999
- Billboard Music Award for Top Classical Artist in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000
- Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist in 1999
- Classic Brit Award for Album of the Year for “Sì” in 2019
- Classic Brit Award for International Artist of the Year in 2012
- Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2002
- Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2006
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010
Controversy
Andrea Bocelli has faced some controversy in his career, mostly related to his political views and personal life. Some of the controversies are:
In 2018, he was criticized for performing at the inauguration of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is known for his controversial and divisive policies and statements.
In 2020, he was accused of spreading misinformation and downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic after he said that he did not believe in the lockdown measures and that he had contracted and recovered from the virus without symptoms.
In 2020, he was also involved in a legal dispute with his ex-wife, Enrica Cenzatti, over the custody and support of their two sons, Amos and Matteo. He claimed she was demanding too much money, preventing him from seeing his sons.
Discography
- Sì Forever
- Sì
- Cinema
- Passione
- My Christmas
- Amore
- Romanza
- Bocelli
- Il mare calmo della sera
Books
Andrea Bocelli has written or co-written some books, mostly autobiographical or inspirational. Some of his books are:
- The Music of Silence: A Memoir (2001) co-written with Anaïs Nin
- The Power of Love: Living from the Heart (2009) co-written with Veronica Berti
- Believe: The Inspirational Story of Andrea Bocelli (2010) co-written with Antonella Boralevi
Social Media
- Instagram: @andreabocelliofficial
- Twitter: @AndreaBocelli
Net Worth
Andrea Bocelli’s net worth is estimated to be $100 million.
He earns most of his income from record sales, concerts, and endorsements.
He also owns several properties in Italy and abroad, including a private jet and a yacht.
