Croatia is mourning the loss of one of its greatest music legends. Mate Mišo Kovač, whose voice and unforgettable songs defined generations across the former Yugoslavia, has died at the age of 85. During a career spanning nearly five decades, he sold more than 20 million records.
Legendary Croatian singer Mate Mišo Kovač died at the age of 85, in his 86th year, after falling ill and being hospitalized. He spent his final moments at his home in Podstrana, surrounded by his wife, Lidija, who had been his greatest support for many years. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary musical journey that touched generations across Croatia and the former Yugoslavia.
Born on July 16, 1941, in Šibenik during the Italian occupation, Kovač grew up on the same street as two other major names in Croatian music, Vice Vukov and Arsen Dedić. Decades later, he would record the duet “Mi smo lišće s iste grane” (We Are Leaves from the Same Branch) with Dedić.
His passion for singing began when he was just 16, inspired by a performance by Šibenik singer Ljuba Lučev.
In 1961, he shared first place at the “First Voice of Šibenik” singing competition with Mirko Vukšić. As his prize, he chose a record by Elvis Presley, the artist who would become one of the biggest influences on his musical career.
After completing his military service in Belgrade, Kovač moved to Zagreb. His professional career began to take shape after he performed Ray Charles’ “I Can’t Stop Loving You” at a competition in Karlovac, attracting the attention of music producers.
In 1964, he signed a contract with Jugoton, one of the leading record labels in the former Yugoslavia. His first album featured a cover of Charles’ famous song.
His rise to fame was remarkably fast. In 1965, he performed at the Melodies of the Adriatic festival, and in 1969, the song “Više se nećeš vratiti,” written by then-young composer Đorđe Novković, turned him into a major star.
The single sold nearly 190,000 copies. With five albums selling more than 250,000 copies each, Kovač became Jugoton’s best-selling singer in 1969. His collaboration with Novković continued until the composer’s death in 2007.
In 1971, Kovač won the Split Music Festival with “Proplakaće zora,” cementing his position as one of Yugoslavia’s most popular performers.
That same year, he nearly lost his life in a serious car accident near Zadar. He later grew his trademark mustache to conceal a scar above his upper lip.
Following his recovery, Kovač traveled to New York in 1972, where he saw Elvis Presley perform at Madison Square Garden. Presley’s rendition of “My Way” left a lasting impression on him. Decades later, speaking with journalist Aleksandar Stanković, he recalled the experience by saying that the song “merged with the sky.”
A career filled with unforgettable hits
Over the following two decades, Kovač enjoyed extraordinary success, producing some of the most beloved songs in the region, including “Ostala si uvijek ista,” “Ako me ostaviš,” “Dugo nisam plakala,” “Sutra će me osuditi,” and “Ti si pjesma moje duše.”
He was named Singer of the Year five times and was voted Personality of the Year in Yugoslavia in 1989.
Kovač also appeared in film, acting alongside Rade Šerbedžija in the 1972 movie “Popodne jednog fazana.”
Personal tragedy and a difficult road back
Behind his extraordinary musical success was a life marked by profound personal tragedy.
Kovač was married three times: to Ljubica Komadina, former Miss Yugoslavia Anita Baturina, with whom he had two children, Edi and Ivana, and later to Lidija Pintarić, who remained by his side until the end of his life.
The 1990s brought the most painful chapter of his life. In 1992, his 16-year-old son Edi died in Zagreb under circumstances that were never fully clarified.
Following his son’s death, Kovač organized a major concert titled “Night of Candles” at Poljud Stadium in Split, performing before approximately 50,000 people. After the concert, he announced that he would never perform again. However, he eventually returned to music.
During the same decade, he also lost his mother and younger brother.
In January 1999, after struggling with depression and the accumulated losses, Kovač attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest at his home in Zagreb. He survived.
Despite everything, he eventually returned to the stage with a concert at Dom Sportova in Zagreb, recorded new albums and performed duets with his daughter Ivana.
He also returned to the Split Music Festival, where he once again celebrated success. Among his later songs, “Dalmatino” became particularly popular.
In 2012, he received the Porin Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to Croatian music.
With more than 20 million records sold, countless timeless hits and a career that touched generations, Mišo Kovač leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy.
For millions of fans across Croatia, the Balkans and the worldwide diaspora, he was more than a singer. He was the voice of Dalmatia.
