Vandi has won three Arion Music Awards, ten MAD Video Music Awards, seven Pop Corn Music Awards, and a World Music Award, becoming the first Greek artist recording in Greece to ever win the award.
She had hits in the international charts for three conssecutive years – a success, unmatched by other Greek artists. „Gia“ (2003 – №1 в US Billboard Club Dance Airplay), „Opa Opa“ (2004) and „Come Along Now“ (2005). Her songs were remixed by such renowned DJs as Roger Sanchez, Armand Van Helden и Junior Vasquez.
Despina Vandi was actually born in Germany in Tübingen near Stuttgart. The real name of the biggest Greek popstar is Despina Malea. Vandi's family returned to Kavala, Greece when she was six years old.
Vandi's first album “Gela Mou” was released in 1994. It contains her duet “To Adieksodo” with the popular and acclaimed singer Giannis Parios. In 1996, Vandi released her next album, “Esena Perimeno” and more hits followed. After making tours in Europe and the States, she began work with the top-composer and producer Phoebus. With the success of “Deka Entoles” Vandi quickly became popular in the Greek music industry with a string of hits and popular appearances. The success continued with "Profities" in 2000. The album was certified gold the day of its release and platinum in 2 days.
In 2001 is released the double album "Gia" which becomes 4 times platinum just for 11 days. This is the best-selling album of the century, a success unmatched even to this day. „Gia“, „Ela“, „Thelo na se do“, „Anaveis foties“, „Ola odigoun se sena“, “Ax, kardoula mou“ become one of the biggest Greek hits. With “Gia” Despina and Phoebus broke out into the international market in neighboring countries. The song is released by Ministry of Sound topping the charts all over the world. The video, shot on location in Marocco, is being playlisted on MTV.
At the end of 2004 „Stin avli tou paradeisou“ is released, containing duets with Vassilis Karras and Thanos Petrelis. The album is certified platinum just after one day, improving her previous record. In 2008 the singer has concerts in Australia and in 2009 she has a tour in the States and Canada, selling more than
150 000 tickets. She releases four more albums and many singles, breaking every single record in Greece.
Despina Vandi is married to Demis Nikolaidis, ex-international soccer player and former president of AEK soccer club. She has a daughter named Melina who was born in February 2004 and a son named Giorgos who was born in August 2007.
The Despina Vandi concert on which she is going to perform her biggest hits will be held on the 21st of February in hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture. Start 20:00 h. Tickets in the Eventim network. Tickets range from 40 leva to 90 leva.
