Jelena Karleuša

Early Life

Jelena Karleuša was born on August 17, 1978, in Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia. She is the only child of Divna Karleuša, a journalist and radio host, and Dragan Karleuša, a police chief. Growing up in a diverse ethnic background, she has roots in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. After her parents' divorce, she lived with her mother in the Fontana neighborhood of New Belgrade. Karleuša attended Zemun Gymnasium and later graduated from the New Belgrade High School.

Career

Karleuša began her music career at the young age of 16 with her debut album "Ogledalce," released in 1995. Her early success was marked by a series of albums, including "Ženite se, momci" and "Veštice, vile," where she collaborated with renowned lyricist Marina Tucaković. Over the years, she has released twelve studio albums, with notable works such as "Diva" and "Revolution." Karleuša has also made headlines for her performances, including major solo concerts in Belgrade, showcasing her evolution as a pop and electropop artist.

Personal Life

Jelena's personal life has been as colorful as her career. She has been involved in high-profile relationships, including a tumultuous romance with mobster Zoran "Ćanda" Davidović, who was tragically murdered in 2000. After a brief marriage to Bojan Karić, she married soccer player Duško Tošić in 2008, with whom she has two daughters. Karleuša has been vocal about her experiences, including domestic abuse allegations against Tošić, and has recently announced their separation. Beyond her personal struggles, she is an advocate for LGBT rights and animal welfare, earning recognition as a gay icon in Serbia and collaborating with organizations like PETA.