On This Day: Greek Superstar Sakis Rouvas Celebrates His 54th Birthday

January 5, 2026 – Greek icon Sakis Rouvas, one of the nation’s most beloved and enduring entertainers – singer, actor, former pole vaulter, TV host, and philanthropist – was born on January 5, 1972, in Corfu. Today, he turns 54!

From an early age, Rouvas displayed extraordinary talent in both the arts and athletics. At four, he started ballet classes, and by ten, he starred in his first theatrical production, If Sharks Were People. Influenced by his parents’ theatrical background, he soon fell in love with music while excelling in sports. Inspired by icons like Elvis Presley, he taught himself guitar.

At 15, he joined the Greek national track and field team as a pole vaulter, idolizing Sergey Bubka. He consistently cleared heights around 4.17 meters, earning multiple national awards. At 18, he left Corfu for Patras and then Athens, in search of greater opportunities.

His music career exploded in 1991 with a standout performance at Athens’ Show Centre, attracting industry attention. He signed with PolyGram Records, triumphed at the Thessaloniki Song Festival, and became a sensation.

Renowned for his powerful tenor voice, elaborate choreography, stunning costumes, and innovative production, Rouvas revolutionized Greek music videos and live performances. As a rare non-laïko artist to achieve massive mainstream success, he shattered cultural, social, artistic, and generational barriers in Greece and Cyprus.

Key Studio Albums:

• Sakis Rouvas (1991)
• Min Andistekese (1992)
• Gia Sena (1993)
• Aima, Dakrya & Idrotas (1994)
• Tora Arhizoun Ta Dyskola (1996)
• Kati Apo Mena (1998)
• 21os Akatallilos (2000)
• Ola Kala (2002)
• To Hrono Stamatao (2003)
• S’eho Erotefthi (2005)
• Iparhi Agapi Edo (2006)
• Irthes (2008)
• Parafora (2010)
• Iraklis – Oi 12 Athloi (2014)

One of Greece’s few artists with lasting international appeal (especially in the Balkans), Rouvas represented Greece at Eurovision twice: in 2004 with “Shake It” (3rd place – Greece’s all-time bestselling single) and 2009 with “This Is Our Night” (7th place).

In 2025, Rouvas remained incredibly active: releasing the Latin pop single “Kontra Pao” (featuring Greece’s first AI-generated music video), co-hosting Greece’s Eurovision national final Ethnikós Telikós with Helena Paparizou, and dropping the November hit “Erotas Skoteinos” (theme song for MadWalk 2025).

Currently, for the 2025-2026 winter season, he is headlining at Athens’ renovated Enastron nightclub alongside Natasa Theodoridou – a powerhouse collaboration blending pop energy with emotional laïko, delivering spectacular shows every Friday and Saturday.

Beyond music, Rouvas has starred in films, hosted The X Factor, appeared on stage and in fashion, and ventured into business (including renewable energy). Timeless hits like “Shake It”, “Den Ehei Sidera I Kardia Sou”, “Antexa”, and “+ Se Thelo” continue dominating Greek charts.

A committed philanthropist, he supports children’s health, Paralympic athletes, environmental initiatives, and charity causes.

He has amassed countless awards, including multiple MAD Video Music Awards, Arion Awards, an MTV Europe Music Award, a World Music Award, and recognition as one of Greece’s most influential figures.

In July 2017, Rouvas married model Katia Zygouli. They have four children: Anastasia, Alexandros, Ariadni, and Apollonas.

Sakis Rouvas still delivers fun, wild, and truly unforgettable performances that light up stages and hearts alike.

Xronia Polla, Sakis! 🇬🇷

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