Ornella Vanoni, 91, died of heart arrest at her home in Milan on Friday, November 21, 2025. An unexpected farewell to one of Italian song's most exquisite and meaningful voices. Vanoni was born in Milan on September 22, 1934, into a wealthy family. She carried her Milanese identity with her: stylish, vibrant, and sophisticated, she was a symbol of class in her city. Following her 1953 matriculation at the Piccolo Teatro Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she studied under Giorgio Strehler, she pursued acting training. Her emergence as a vocalist was also facilitated by her involvement with the theater. Her musical career took off with songs about sorrow, love, and poetry, ranging from the nostalgic "La musica è finita" to the passionate mood of "Domani è un altro giorno". In the 1960s, her great love and artistic partnership with Gino Paoli generated an intensive and creative period in her life. Although she subsequently married theater impresario Lucio Ardenzi, her relationship with Paoli continued to be a central aspect of her life, even following the birth of her son Cristiano. Vanoni attended numerous Sanremo Music Festivals, performed on stage, and dominated television with her elegant flair and distinctive voice. In the late 1970s, she posed for Playboy, demonstrating an elegant sensuality that never descended into vulgarity. In the 1980s, she reunited with Paoli for a sold-out tour that was followed by a double live album. She continued to make music, tour globally, and work with incredibly gifted musicians like Paolo Fresu. Her contributions were also acknowledged with important awards: in 2008, she got the "Milano Donna Award - Women Who Made Milan Great" and the "Marisa Bellisario Special Lifetime Achievement Award". In recent years, she became an even more beloved figure, with everyone captivated by her wit, candour, and free spirit. On stage at the Baths of Caracalla and in her guest appearances with Fabio Fazio, she appeared to be an invincible lady capable of discussing life and death with the lightness and profundity that defined her. Her voice, personality, and resilience have left an unforgettable mark: Ornella Vanoni is no longer with us, but her music will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.