Laura Pausini, born on May 16, 1974, is an Italian singer who rose to fame in 1993, winning the newcomer artists' section of the 43rd Sanremo Music Festival with her debut single "La solitudine", which became an Italian standard and an international hit.
She released her self-titled debut album in Italy on April 23, 1993, and it later became an international success, selling two million copies worldwide. The follow-up, Laura, was released in 1994 and confirmed her international success, selling three million copies worldwide.
Pausini has released fifteen studio albums, two international greatest hits albums, and one compilation album for the Anglophone market only. She speaks four languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. She mostly performs in Italian and Spanish, but has also recorded and sung songs in Portuguese, English, French, German, Latin, Chinese, Catalan, Neapolitan, Romagnol, and Sicilian.
As a coach on the Mexican and Spanish versions of The Voice, a judge on La banda, and a judge on The X Factor, Pausini has showcased her talent in various reality television singing competitions. She also debuted as a variety show presenter, hosting the television show Laura & Paola with actress Paola Cortellesi in 2016.
Throughout her career, Pausini has won numerous music awards in Italy and internationally. She has been honored with a Grammy Award, a FIMI Icon Award, and has been nominated for an Academy Award. She was also honored as a Commander Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and as a World Ambassador of Emilia Romagna.
The elder of two daughters, Laura Pausini was born in Faenza, in the Province of Ravenna, to Fabrizio Pausini and Gianna Ballardini. She grew up in Solarolo, a small comune in the same region. Her father, a former pianist, encouraged her to start performing as a singer, and she began singing with him in local piano bars and church choirs.
