Toma Zdravković: Remembering the legendary singer 35 years after his death

The 35th anniversary of the death of Toma Zdravković, one of the most famous singers of the former Yugoslavia, is being marked. The legendary bohem passed away on September 30, 1991, at the age of 52 at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in Belgrade after a long battle with bladder cancer.

His widow, Gordana Zdravković, has shared poignant details regarding his final days, including his last requests to protect their son, Aleksandar, from the impending war. She also recounted medical complications during his treatment and his final moments, noting that he remained a performer until the end, singing to hospital staff despite his weakness.

The singer's legacy is marked by both musical greatness and complex family dynamics. For over two decades, a rift existed between his brother, Novica Zdravković, and Gordana over music royalties and family contact, though they reportedly reconciled in 2021. Zdravković's career, which began in the mid-1950s, left behind a vast catalog of hits that remain popular throughout the region.