Andrea Bocelli was born on September 22, 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy. As a child, he learned to play the piano, flute and saxophone. Visually impaired from birth, Bocelli became blind at the age of 12 following a soccer injury. His 1995 album Bocelli did well in Europe and 1999's Sogno became an international hit. He remains one of the world's most popular singers today.

Early Years

Born on September 22, 1958, in Lajatico, Italy, Andrea Bocelli became interested in music at an early age. He was only 6 years old when he began studying piano. He later learned flute and saxophone, and was often asked to sing at family gatherings. Visually impaired from birth, he became blind at the age of 12 following a soccer injury.
According to his website, Bocelli had his first taste of success in a singing competition in 1970. He continued to hone his talent, studying voice with Luciano Bettarini. At University of Pisa, Bocelli studied law. But he did not abandon his music. Bocelli studied with Franco Corelli and took up playing piano in bars to pay for his lessons.

Famed Italian Tenor

One of Bocelli's first lucky breaks came in 1992 when he recorded a demo tape of "Miserere" for Zucchero Fornaciari, with the song co-written by U2'sBono. That recording was heard by famed tenor Luciano Pavarotti, for whom the track was originally geared toward. Pavarotti then encouraged Fornaciari to use Bocelli for the song. In the end, Bocelli and Pavarotti performed "Miserere" together, which became a Europe-wide smash hit.
A singer on the rise, Bocelli competed in the Sanremo Festival in 1994. He won the top honors in the newcomers' category. That same year, Bocelli released his first album in Italy, Il Mare Calmo Della Sera. He scored a major hit in Europe a short time later with Bocelli, which featured "Con Te Partiro." The song later became a popular duet with Sarah Brightman as "Time to Say Goodbye," which appeared on his 1997 album Romanza. ]
With Sogno (1999), Bocelli cemented his status as an international singing sensation. The hit record included a duet with Celine Dion on the song "The Prayer." More popular albums soon followed, including 2001's Cieli di Toscana and 2006's Amore.
More recently, Bocelli collaborated with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado on his 2013 album Passione. He also joined forces with Placido Domingo and Ana Maria Martinez on 2014's Manon Lescaut.

Personal Life

Bocelli married his first wife, Enrica, in 1992. The couple had two sons, Amos and Matteo, together before separating in 2002.
That same year, Bocelli began dating Veronica Berti. The couple welcomed a daughter, Virginia, in 2012. They married in March 2014, in a ceremony in Livorno, Italy. The Italian tenor was 55 years old at the time, and his new bride 30.
With Sogno (1999), Bocelli cemented his status as an international singing sensation. The hit record included a duet with Celine Dion on the song "The Prayer." More popular albums soon followed, including 2001's Cieli di Toscana and 2006's Amore.
More recently, Bocelli collaborated with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado on his 2013 album Passione. He also joined forces with Placido Domingo and Ana Maria Martinez on 2014's Manon Lescaut.

Personal Life

Bocelli married his first wife, Enrica, in 1992. The couple had two sons, Amos and Matteo, together before separating in 2002.
That same year, Bocelli began dating Veronica Berti. The couple welcomed a daughter, Virginia, in 2012. They married in March 2014, in a ceremony in Livorno, Italy. The Italian tenor was 55 years old at the time, and his new bride 30.