Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Holy Church of Agia Eleousa in Agia Varvara on Friday afternoon, August 28, to pay their final respects to Greek singer Dimitris Kokotas.
Kokotas passed away on August 25 at the age of 57. The funeral service was scheduled for 12:00 p.m., with burial to follow in a private ceremony at the Third Cemetery in accordance with his family's wishes. Agia Varvara is a suburb in western Athens, while the Third Cemetery is one of the largest municipal burial grounds in the capital region.
The performer had been hospitalized at the Georgios Gennimatas General Hospital in Athens since March 2024, after suffering a heart attack during a television recording. He lost his battle for life following a medical struggle that lasted two and a half years. The public hospital, named after former health minister Georgios Gennimatas, is one of the largest tertiary healthcare facilities in Athens.
Hospitalization and Family Legacy
Born on December 14, 1968, Kokotas was the son of Stamatis Kokotas, one of Greece's most famous laiko singers who rose to stardom during the 1960s and 1970s. Following in his father's footsteps, the younger Kokotas carved out his own distinct path in laiko, the popular folk genre that has dominated Greek popular music for decades.
Throughout his career, Kokotas collaborated with many of the biggest names in Greek music. His musical partners included Marinella, Katy Garbi, Angela Dimitriou, Antypas, Vasilis Karras, Konstantina, and Litsa Giagkousi, as well as joint projects with his father.
Breakthrough Albums and Chart Success
Kokotas released his debut solo album, Diadosis (Gossip), in 1994. Written and composed by hitmaker Phoebus, one of Greece's most prominent commercial songwriters, the record achieved major success, selling approximately 30,000 copies across Greece and Cyprus to earn a gold certification. The album featured standout tracks including Diadosis, Avta ta xeili (These Lips), Ante geia mas (Cheers to Us), and Ki an s' agapo (And If I Love You).
His career took off one year later in November 1995 with the release of his second solo album, Syneidisi (Conscience), which achieved platinum status. The record contained several songs that remained widely popular, such as Giati me tyrannas (Why Do You Torment Me), Poly kali gia na 'sai alithini (Too Good to Be True), Ki ase na lene (Let Them Talk), Syneidisi, and Anemona (Anemone).
Record Commercial Peak with Acharistia
In May 1997, Kokotas issued his third solo album, Acharistia (Ingratitude), which marked his final studio recording collaboration with composer Phoebus. The album went gold in its first week of release before going on to achieve platinum certification in both Greece and Cyprus.
With more than 80,000 copies sold, Acharistia stands as the most commercially successful album of Kokotas's recording career.
