Jonida Maliqi

Early Life

Jonida Maliqi was born on March 26, 1983, in Tirana, Albania, into a family from Gjirokastër. She began her musical journey early, attending the Dëshmorët e Lirisë music school where she learned guitar and violin. Her passion for music led her to the Jordan Misja Lyceum and later to the Academy of Arts in Tirana, where she studied canto.

Career

Maliqi's career took off at the young age of 13 when she participated in the 34th edition of Festivali i Këngës in 1995. She made her solo debut in 1999 and continued to impress audiences with her performances at the festival over the next few years. Notable songs from this period include "Çast," "Ik," and "Do Humbas Me Ty," the latter of which secured her a third-place finish at the 41st edition of the festival. Her accolades include winning the "Best Performer" award at Kënga Magjike in 2003 and the "Ethno Music Award" in 2004. In 2006, she released her debut album, "Nuk Të Pres," coinciding with her graduation from the Academy of Arts. That same year, she also starred in the Albanian version of The Ten Commandments: The Musical.

Personal Life

Jonida Maliqi was previously married to Gent Prizreni, an Albanian businessman, with whom she shares a son. The couple announced their divorce in March 2017. Throughout her career, Maliqi has remained a prominent figure in the Albanian music scene, known for her contributions to pop music and her dynamic performances.