In honor of her legacy, Elmira Rahimova’s life and career continue to inspire many. Here are some interesting facts about this iconic Azerbaijani singer.
Elmira Rahimova was born on August 13, 1941, in Baku, Azerbaijan. She graduated from the Azerbaijan State Music College in 1965 and later from the Azerbaijan Institute of Languages in 1970.
In the late 1950s, she became famous for singing Indian songs and even traveled to India twice upon the invitation of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. While in India, she learned traditional Indian songs and dances, lived there for a while, and performed in front of large audiences. One of her most memorable moments was singing Qanbar Huseynli’s “Cücələrim” under the open sky, which received huge applause. The most surprising part? Over 30,000 people sang along with her and asked her to perform the song again.
Her musical repertoire included folk songs, traditional ballads, and compositions by Azerbaijani composers. Elmira Rahimova worked with various musical ensembles and performed beloved songs like “Ana Laylası”, “Mən Anayam”, “Küsüb Məndən”, and “Sən Yadıma Düşəndə” with a style that was both unique and emotional.
Some of her most popular songs that remain in the hearts of many include “Tələbə”, “Səadət”, “Yenə Sənsiz Bu Axşam”, and again, “Sən Yadıma Düşəndə”.
Elmira Rahimova has performed in over 60 countries around the world. She once revealed that she even received a marriage proposal from the son of the Indian president, but she turned it down:
“I thought they were testing me. I told them I came here to study, not to get married.”
Despite being a public figure, Elmira never celebrated her own birthday. She explained:
“I’ve always been on the road, traveling to different countries. I never told anyone when my birthday was, and I never celebrated it. Honestly, I dislike birthdays.”
Now 79 years old, Elmira Rahimova has stayed away from media for many years. Sadly, she is reportedly battling diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and is frequently hospitalized. Recently, rumors about her death spread, but they were not confirmed.
In 2012, she stepped away from her music career due to personal tragedies:
“My elder sister passed away in December last year. That was a huge blow. My younger sister is bedridden, and I take care of her every day. I am the middle sister, and all the responsibilities are on me. That’s why I have no energy for interviews or TV shows.”
According to her close friend and People’s Artist Flora Karimova, Elmira Rahimova is now unable to speak:
“Her health is poor, and she can’t talk. It breaks my heart. How can I visit her and speak when she can’t reply? I don’t want to see her like that. She is a strong woman, admired for her powerful voice, and she never gave up.”
Beyond her stage life, Elmira Rahimova is also a devoted mother and grandmother. She has a son named Anand and two grandchildren. One of her granddaughters, who is named after her, lives in the same house.
