Esma Rejepova-Theodosiievska, Macedonian Rom music icon, celebrates 84th birthday

Esma Rejepova-Theodosiievska was born on 8 August 1943 in Skopje. Growing up in a modest family, she began singing as a child and won a school‑wide competition in 1957, which attracted the attention of composer Stevo Theodosiievski. He invited her to join his ensemble, launching a professional career that later turned into a marriage in 1968.

Over a five‑decade career, Esma performed worldwide, recording more than 580 songs and giving over 22,000 concerts, many of them humanitarian. She was hailed as the “queen of Rom music,” performed before world leaders such as Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and was awarded the title of National Artist of the Republic of Macedonia in 2013. Her 2006 hit “Chaye Shukarie” was used in the film *Borat*, leading to a lawsuit that resulted in compensation.

Following the death of her husband Stevo in 1997, Esma continued to record and tour, cementing her legacy as one of Macedonia’s most celebrated musical figures.