- published: 07 Aug 2007
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Melina Mercouri (Greek: Μελίνα Μερκούρη), born as Maria Amalia Mercouri (18 October 1920 – 6 March 1994) was a Greek actress, singer and politician.
As an actress she made her film debut in Stella (1955) and met international success with her performances in Never on Sunday, Phaedra, Topkapi and Promise at Dawn. She won the award for Best Actress at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, and she was also nominated for an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Awards.
A political activist during the Greek military junta of 1967–1974, she became a member of the Hellenic Parliament in 1977 and the first female Minister for Culture of Greece in 1981. Mercouri was the person who, in 1983, conceived and proposed the programme of the European Capital of Culture, which has been established by the European Union since 1985.
She was a strong advocate for the return to Athens of the Parthenon Marbles, which were removed from the Parthenon, and are now displayed in the British Museum.
Maria Amalia Mercouri was born in Athens, Greece in 1920, the daughter of Stamatis Mercouris, a former cavalry officer, member of Parliament for the Democratic Socialist Party of Greece and former Minister for Public Order of Greece, and Eirini Lappa, originated from a prominent family of Athens. Spyridon Merkouris, her paternal grandfather, was one of the most successful Mayors of Athens and played a major role in her early life.
Melina Mercouri - Ta pedia tou Pirea
Mikis Theodorakis & Melina Mercouri - O Dikastis (Ο Δικαστής)
Melina Mercouri - Ta Paidia Tou Piraia (Never On Sunday)
Melina Mercouri & Vangelis - Athina (Greek version) (1973)
Melina Mercouri, Zorba
MELINA MERCOURI Je suis grecque
Melina Mercouri - Samiotisa
Greek actor/politician Melina Mercouri on being a national hero: CBC Archives
Melina Mercouri NEVER ON SUNDAY first unknown version
Αγάπη που 'γινες δίκοπο μαχαίρι - Papercut Remix
Melina Mercouri - Je te dirai les mots
Melina Mercouri On Broadway - Illya Darling (1967)