Italian singer and actress Milva dies at 81

Ilvia Maria Biolcati, known as Milva, passed away on April 23, 2021, in Milan at the age of 81, following a prolonged illness, as reported by her daughter, Martina Corgnati. Born in Goro in 1939, she initially performed in dance halls in Ferrara under the name Sabrina. Milva achieved notable success, winning a Rai competition in 1959, securing third place at the Sanremo Festival in 1961 with "Il mare nel cassetto," and finishing second in 1962 with "Tango italiano." She wed director Maurizio Corgnati in 1961, welcoming daughter Martina in 1963. Over her career, Milva sold more than 80 million records, became a muse for Giorgio Strehler, and collaborated with composers like Mikis Theodorakis. In 2018, she received a Career Award at the Sanremo Festival, with Culture Minister Dario Franceschini lauding her as a leading interpreter of Italian music.