Greek folk singer Rita Sakellariou met secretly with singer Katerina Stanisi at Hygeia Hospital a few days before Sakellariou died, according to Lakis Korres. Speaking to Nikos Nikolizas for Espresso on the 27th anniversary of Sakellariou's death, Korres shared unknown stories from the singer's life.
Korres, who was Sakellariou's friend and collaborator for two decades, said he arranged the final meeting between the two artists. Stanisi was hospitalized at Hygeia Hospital for a different health issue when she decided to visit Sakellariou.
Korres brought Stanisi down to Sakellariou's room, where the two women embraced and spoke alone for a long time. Stanisi brought a cardigan as a gift and gave Sakellariou two sips of water because Sakellariou was in very poor condition.
Hospital meeting and secret conversation
The conversation between the two women remained private. Korres said Stanisi confided to him that Sakellariou shared personal secrets with her, which Stanisi swore never to reveal publicly.
The relationship between Sakellariou and Stanisi had long attracted public attention because Stanisi was married to Sakellariou's son, Takis. Korres rejected reports of a deep feud, saying Sakellariou considered Stanisi a good person and a fine singer.
Sakellariou tried to support her son when the marriage ran into trouble. Korres noted that third parties encouraged Sakellariou to blame Stanisi, but no real conflict existed between the singers.
Australia tour and unrevealed illness
A few months before her death, Sakellariou traveled to Australia for a concert series after doctors gave approval. She performed six shows without showing signs of serious illness.
Korres stated that doctors and relatives never informed Sakellariou of her true diagnosis, telling her instead that she suffered from pneumonia. He added that Sakellariou had private relationships with well-known figures that remained secret, as he swore to take those details to his grave.
