Farewell to Wilma De Angelis, an icon of music and television

Wilma De Angelis, the historic Italian singer, actress, and television host, passed away today, October 12, 2026, at the age of 96. Her death occurred in the afternoon in Milan, surrounded by the affection of her family. Her grandson, Fabio De Angelis, announced her passing on Facebook with an emotional farewell.

Wilma De Angelis was a beloved face to the Italian public, with a career that began in the 1950s in Milanese nightclubs and continued for decades across music, television, and film. She participated in the Sanremo Festival nine times, achieving her best placement in 1960 with third place. In the 1970s, she became a pioneer of cooking shows on TV, hosting formats such as "Telemenù" and "A pranzo con Wilma."

Wilma De Angelis was born in Milan on April 8, 1930, and studied singing with professional teachers. Her artistic career began in Milanese nightclubs, leading to her first recording contract with Vis Radio in the early 1950s. After a period performing in a duet with Maria Dattoli, she embarked on a solo career in 1956.

Her debut at the Sanremo Festival took place in 1959, but success came in 1961 with "Patatina" by Gianni Meccia. In the 1970s, on the suggestion of Paolo Limiti, she began the revolutionary experience of bringing cooking to television on Telemontecarlo, thus becoming one of the first presenters of culinary programs in Italy. This transition from music to culinary television marked an important turning point in her career, making her a popular figure among several generations of Italians.