Eurovision’s first ever winner Lys Assia dies, aged 94
Written by News on 26/03/2018
Lys Assia – the first person to win the Eurovision song contest – has died at the age of 94.
The Swiss-born singer won the competition in her home country in 1956 with the song Refrain.
Assia died on Saturday in a Zurich hospital.
Organisers of the contest offered their “deepest condolences” to Assia’s friends and family and said they will be paying tribute to her “life and her lasting commitment” to Eurovision.
Born in 1924, Assia started her career as a dancer before her lifelong connection with Eurovision.
She represented Switzerland in 1957-1958 where she finished second with Giorgio.
She was a guest of honour at the contest in 1985 while in 2005 she performed during its 50th anniversary.
Remarkably, at the age of 87, she decided it was time to return as a contestant, but her attempt to represent Switzerland in 2012-2013 was unsuccessful.
(c) Sky News 2018: Eurovision’s first ever winner Lys Assia dies, aged 94
