Doris Dragović

Doris Dragović
Dragović in 2008
Born
Dorotea Dragović

(1961-04-16) 16 April 1961
Other names
  • Doris
  • Dorotea Budimir
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1982–present
Spouse
Mario Budimir
(m. 1990)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Formerly ofMore

Dorotea Budimir (née Dragović; born 16 April 1961),[1] better known as Doris Dragović (pronounced [dôːris drâːɡovitɕ]) or simply Doris, is a Croatian singer who has represented Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 with the song "Željo moja", finishing 11th with 49 points, and Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "Marija Magdalena", finishing fourth with 118 points.

Career

Dorotea Dragović was born in Split, Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia. Already in childhood, she was given the nickname Doris by her parents, mother Alice (née Radosavljević) and father Jakov "Braco" Dragović. Doris' maternal uncle Edi Radosavljević was one of the founders of the Split Festival.[2] Doris had an interest in singing since her childhood.[1] She cites Arsen Dedić, Gabi Novak and Tereza Kesovija as her biggest influences and childhood idols.[1]

She came to national prominence in the early 1980s as a member of the More, and began her solo career in 1985.[1] The same year, she represented Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen with the song "Željo moja", and finished 11th with 49 points.[3] Doris has since been one of the most famous pop singers in Yugoslavia and post-Yugoslav states.[4][5][6]

In 1999, Doris was chosen to represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, after she won the national election Dora with her song "Marija Magdalena", written by prominent Croatian songwritering couple Tonči Huljić and Vjekoslava Huljić.[7] She placed fourth in Jerusalem. Her performance also included the removal of some of her clothing, and was well received in the first contest in which most countries allocated their points by televote. Equalling Maja Blagdan's 1996 placement, but surpassing it in total points, this became Croatia's best result at the contest, a record that stood until 2024. "Marija Magdalena" was also a radio hit on Greek radio station FLY FM 89.7 and reached number one on its airplay.

Personal life

Dragović was known in the early 1980s for her work with bands from Split. She is a known supporter of Torcida Split, ultras of the football club Hajduk Split.[4][6] In 2001, Dragović received threats from Torcida after she sang to Montenegrin president Milo Đukanović at the 2000 New Year's Eve party.[4]

Since 1990, Dragović is married to a former water polo player, Mario Budimir,[1][8] with whom she has a son named Borna (born 1990).[1] Mario Budimir is a maternal uncle of Iris Rajčić, the wife of Hajduk Split legend Marko Livaja.[9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CRO
Dom.
Air.

[10]
"Ima nešto u tome"
(with Jacques Houdek)
2016 7 Mjuzikl Pacijenti
"Jedina jubav moga života"
(with Klapa Rišpet)
2018 8 Šta mi ljube oćeš kazat
"Brod za nabolje" 2019 4 Non-album singles
"Sna' ću se ja" 2021 4
"Tajna"
(with Osmi Putnik)
6
"Dva smo života"
(Grupa Viva featuring Doris Dragović)
2022 13
"Sve smo mogli imat" 5
"Marija Magdalena"
(Tonči Huljić featuring Doris Dragović)
2023
"Koplje ljubavi" 2024 7
"Sluge tuge" 2025 3
"Kad zastor mi padne"
(with More)
24

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Doris Dragović". vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  2. ^ Banjeglav Perković, Gorana (7 October 2024). "Karijeru Doris Dragović zasjenio skandal". Story.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  3. ^ See Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest
  4. ^ a b c Naslovi.net Povratak Doris Dragović Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine (10 October 2009)
  5. ^ Doris Dragović — Kompilacija povodom jubileja
  6. ^ a b Croatia Records – Doris Dragović
  7. ^ Diskografija.com – Doris Dragović, "Marija Magdalena"
  8. ^ Slobodna Dalmacija (in Croatian)
  9. ^ Mileusnić, Jelena (28 May 2022). "Doris Dragović u rodu je s Iris Rajčić". Story.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  10. ^ Peak positions in Croatia: