A gifted, charismatic performer with a powerful mezzo-soprano voice, singer Iva Zannichi (January 18, 1940) is one of the most important Italian female music artists of all time. Born in the small town of Ligonchio, her career took off after winning third place at the 1962 Castrocaro Music Festival. Following the release of her eponymous studio debut in 1965, Iva Zanicchi made history by becoming the only woman to win the Sanremo Music Festival three times with the songs "Non Pensare a Me" (1967), "Zingara" (1969), and "Ciao cara, come stai?" (1974). Throughout the 70s, she released a total of 14 albums and toured all over the world while also collaborating with crooners like Mikis Theodorakis, Charles Aznavour, and Luigi Tenco. From 1987 to 2000, she was the host of the TV game show OK, il Prezzo รจ Giusto!, the Italian version of The Price Is Right. After leaving the show, Iva Zanicchi returned to her music career and also forayed into politics, representing the center-right party Forza Italia at the European Parliament. In 2022, she competed in Sanremo for the eleventh time, finishing in 18th place with the song "Voglio Amarti."
