Wilma De Angelis Dies at 96: Remembering the Italian Singer Who Became a Television Icon

The celebrated Italian singer, actress and television presenter leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning music, entertainment and pioneering cooking programmes.

MILAN, ITALY — Wilma De Angelis, the beloved Italian singer and television presenter whose career stretched across more than seven decades, has died in Milan at the age of 96. Her death on October 11, 2026, was confirmed by her nephew, Fabio De Angelis, according to Italian news reports. Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Italian entertainment, but her music, warmth and television legacy will continue to live on.

A Life Dedicated to Music and Entertainment

Born in Milan on April 8, 1930, Wilma De Angelis developed an interest in singing at a young age. She studied music and vocal technique before beginning to perform in Milanese nightclubs. In the early 1950s, she signed a recording contract with Vis Radio, taking her first major steps towards a professional music career.

For several years, she performed with Maria Dattoli as part of the Duo Vocale Vis. In 1956, she chose to pursue a solo career, establishing herself as an independent performer during a period of significant change in Italian popular music.

Her talent, distinctive voice and lively personality helped her build a lasting relationship with audiences. She subsequently worked across radio, recordings, festivals and television, developing a career that would extend far beyond the music industry.

Sanremo Festival: The Beginning of Wider Recognition

A major milestone arrived in 1959, when De Angelis made her debut at the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival. She performed Nessuno, associated with Betty Curtis, and Per tutta la vita, also performed by Jula de Palma.

The following year, she returned to Sanremo with Quando vien la sera, performed in association with Joe Sentieri. The song earned third place, becoming her best result at the festival. She would participate in Sanremo nine times during her career.

In 1961, the song Patatina, written by Gianni Meccia, brought her considerable popularity and the affectionate nickname “Miss Patatina.”

Her repertoire also included songs such as Splende l’arcobaleno, I colori della felicità and Cerasella. These recordings helped secure her place among the memorable voices of Italian popular music during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Reinventing Her Career Through Television

De Angelis’s story was not limited to music. As the entertainment industry evolved, she successfully moved into television, demonstrating an ability to connect with audiences in a different format.

In 1979, television producer Paolo Limiti invited her to take part in a cooking programme on Telemontecarlo. This opportunity opened a new chapter in her professional life.

Programmes including Telemenù, later known as Sale, pepe e fantasia, and A pranzo con Wilma made her a familiar presence in Italian homes.

Her approach was conversational, friendly and accessible. Rather than presenting cooking as an intimidating technical discipline, she helped make it feel like a shared everyday experience. Her work anticipated the popularity of contemporary television cooking formats, in which personality and storytelling are as important as the recipes themselves.

She also wrote cookbooks, extending her interest in food beyond the television screen.

A Versatile Performer Beyond the Kitchen

Throughout her long career, De Angelis explored several areas of entertainment. She continued recording music, took part in television variety programmes and appeared in acting roles.

In the 1980s, she returned to recording projects, including work associated with Ricky Gianco and the Oldies. Later appearances introduced her to audiences who had not necessarily followed her earliest musical successes.

She also appeared in the film Femmine contro maschi, directed by Fausto Brizzi, and made appearances on popular Italian television programmes.

In 2010, she attracted renewed attention when she performed Dimmi di sì, an Italian-language version of Lady Gaga’s hit Bad Romance. The unexpected performance connected her with younger viewers and demonstrated her willingness to embrace changing entertainment trends.

Even in her nineties, she remained a welcome guest on television. Her later appearances included programmes such as I migliori anni and Domenica In, where she revisited songs from her career.

Family’s Emotional Tribute

Following her death, her nephew Fabio De Angelis shared a heartfelt message remembering her songs, smile, sympathy and joy for life.

His tribute reflected the personal affection that surrounded the singer and presenter, as well as the public’s enduring connection with her work.

For many viewers, De Angelis represented more than a familiar television personality. She belonged to a generation of entertainers whose careers developed alongside the growth of modern Italian broadcasting, popular music and variety television.

A Legacy That Crossed Generations

Wilma De Angelis built a career by continually adapting to new opportunities. She began as a young singer, found recognition through Sanremo, became a familiar face in television cooking programmes and remained connected with entertainment well into later life.

Her journey illustrates how an artist can remain relevant by embracing change while preserving a distinctive personality.

Her legacy rests not only in recordings or television archives, but also in the memories of audiences who grew up listening to her songs and watching her programmes. Her warmth, versatility and long service to Italian entertainment made her a distinctive figure in the country’s cultural history.

As tributes continue to follow the news of her death, Wilma De Angelis will be remembered as an artist who brought music, food and companionship into people’s lives.

Delhi Magazine pays tribute to Wilma De Angelis and extends its condolences to her family, friends and admirers.

May her memory continue to inspire future generations of artists and entertainers.