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Wilma De Angelis, Italian singer and TV pioneer, dies at 96
Wilma De Angelis, a prominent Italian singer, actress, and television presenter, has died in Milan at the age of 96. Her passing was confirmed by her nephew, Fabio De Angelis.
De Angelis enjoyed a multifaceted career spanning over seven decades. She first gained recognition in the 1950s as a jazz singer, earning the title ‘Reginetta del jazz italiano’ in 1956. She became a household name through her frequent appearances at the Sanremo Music Festival, debuting in 1959 with the song ‘Nessuno’ and achieving significant success with ‘Patatina’ in 1961. Her musical legacy includes hits such as ‘Quando vien la sera’, which earned her third place at Sanremo in 1960.
In the late 1970s, she successfully transitioned into television, becoming a pioneer of culinary programming. Working with Paolo Limiti on Telemontecarlo, she hosted popular shows such as ‘Telemenù’, ‘Sale, pepe e… fantasia’, and ‘A pranzo con Wilma’. Her ability to reinvent herself allowed her to remain a relevant cultural figure across multiple generations, from the era of classic variety shows to modern digital audiences.
Entities
Fabio De Angelis · Milan · Mina · Paolo Limiti · Sanremo Music Festival · Telemontecarlo · Wilma De Angelis
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- [● 4 SOURCES] Her 1961 song 'Patatina' became one of her most famous hits, earning her the nickname 'Miss Patatina'. cinemaserietv.it · www.giornaledipuglia.com · www.repubblica.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] She was born in Milan on April 8, 1930. giornalesm.com · cinemaserietv.it · www.giornaledipuglia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] She was a pioneer of culinary television, hosting programs such as 'Telemenù' on Telemontecarlo starting in the late 1970s. cinemaserietv.it · www.repubblica.it · www.roadtvitalia.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Her last television appearance was on March 25, 2025, on the program 'La Volta Buona'. www.potenzanews.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] She debuted at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1959 with the songs 'Nessuno' and 'Per tutta la vita'. cinemaserietv.it · www.giornaledipuglia.com · www.repubblica.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] She achieved third place at the 1960 Sanremo Festival with 'Quando vien la sera' alongside Joe Sentieri. cinemaserietv.it · www.giornaledipuglia.com · www.repubblica.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] She gained viral popularity among younger generations for her Italian cover of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance', titled 'Dimmi di sì'. cinemaserietv.it · www.potenzanews.net · www.roadtvitalia.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] Wilma De Angelis passed away on October 11, 2026, at the age of 96. giornalesm.com · cinemaserietv.it · www.potenzanews.net · www.giornaledipuglia.com · www.repubblica.it · +1 more