Iva Zanicchi announces retirement from live concerts in 2026

Italian singer Iva Zanicchi has announced that 2026 will likely be her final year performing live concerts. The 86-year-old artist cited the physical exhaustion of touring and the difficulty of constant travel as the primary reasons for her decision to step away from the stage.

Despite retiring from live musical performances, Zanicchi expressed her intention to remain active in the entertainment industry. She indicated that she may continue working in television and other media formats, stating, “If God gives me the luck to live, maybe I will do TV and other things, but enough singing.”

This announcement follows recent honors in her hometown of Ventasso, where she was granted honorary citizenship. While she plans to reduce the rigors of touring, she does not intend to leave the public eye entirely.