Who is Andrea Bocelli?

SINGER and songwriter, Andrea Bocelli, has garnered international recognition for his contributions to the opera and classical genres of music.

Bocelli has experienced crossover success with pop music as well. Here's a closer look at the Italian opera crooner's personal life and rise to fame.

Who is Andrea Bocelli?

Born on September 22, 1958, most of Andrea Bocelli's early life was centered in Lajatico, Italy.

Bocelli was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma during his childhood, a disease affecting the eyes.

By the age of 12, he was rendered completely blind due to an accident at a football game.

After his featured appearance on Zucchero and Luciano Pavarotti's Miserere, he began to earn acclaim.

Bocelli's debut studio album, Il mare calmo della sera, was released in April 1994.

The singer's subsequent releases continued his streak of success.

Throughout 1998, the Italian native's popularity in the United States increased after touring the country that year.

That same year, Bocelli performed at a White House gala for Bill Clinton and was featured on Celine Dion's television special in December.

He also lent his voice to recordings by Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Mary J Blige, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding, and his son and fellow opera singer - Matteo Bocelli.

On November 13, 2020, the famed tenor distributed his 17th studio album, Believe.

What awards did Bocelli win?

In 1999, Bocelli and Celine's duet - The Prayer - took home the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

The Prayer was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999.

At that year's Grammy Awards ceremony, he was also nominated for Best New Artist - but lost the accolade to Lauryn Hill.

Bocelli and Celine's awards season recognition for The Prayer continued at the Grammys.

At the 42nd edition of the awards show, the single was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals - Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas were named the winners.

The celebrated opera figure is also a two-time Billboard Award winner and a one-time Emmy nominee.

Is Bocelli married and does he have children?

On June 27, 1992, the decorated singer married his first wife, Enrica Cenzatti.

They have two children together, sons Amos and Matteo.

Sometime after Bocelli and Enrica separated in 2002, he met his second wife and eventual manager, Veronica Berti.

On March 21, 2012, he and Veronica welcomed their daughter Virginia.

On March 21, 2014, Bocelli and Veronica officially tied the knot.