Iolanda Cristina Gigliotti, professionally known as Dalida, was an Italian naturalized French singer and actress. Leading an international career, Dalida has sold over 140 million records worldwide. Her best known songs include "Bambino", "Gondolier", "Les Enfants du Pirée", "Le Temps des fleurs", "Darla dirladada", "J'attendrai", "La Danse de Zorba", "Bang Bang", "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans", "Le Jour où la pluie viendra", "Gigi l'amoroso", "Laissez-moi danser", "Salama ya salama", "Helwa ya baladi", "Mourir sur scène" and "Paroles, paroles" featuring spoken word by Alain Delon.
First an actress, she made her debut in the film A Glass and a Cigarette by Niazi Mustapha in 1955. One year later, having signed with the Barclay record company, Dalida achieved her first success as a singer with "Bambino". Following this, she became the most important seller of records in France between 1957 and 1961. Her music charted in many countries in Europe and Latin America. She collaborated with singers such as Julio Iglesias, Charles Aznavour, Johnny Mathis and Petula Clark.