Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth14 July 1960
Age66 years
BirthplaceOuidah, French Dahomey (later became Benin)
ProfessionSinger, songwriter, actress, activist
Marital statusMarried
SpouseJean Hebrail
Angélique Kidjo Biography
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo was born on 14 July 1960 in Ouidah, then part of French Dahomey (now Benin). She grew up in a household steeped in music and performance: her father was a musician from the Fon people and her mother worked as a choreographer and theatre director and was of Yoruba descent.
Early life and backgroundAngélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo was born on 14 July 1960 in Ouidah, then part of French Dahomey (now Benin). She grew up in a household steeped in music and performance: her father was a musician from the Fon people and her mother worked as a choreographer and theatre director and was of Yoruba descent. Exposed from a young age to traditional Yoruba and Beninese music as well as international artists, she began performing with her mother’s theatre troupe by the age of six and later joined her school band, Les Sphinx.
Her upbringing in Ouidah shaped both her artistic sensibility and her commitment to cultural expression. Early success with an adaptation of a Miriam Makeba song and the release of her first record set her on a path to broader regional recognition across West Africa.
Career
Kidjo recorded her debut album, Pretty, with producer Ekambi Brilliant and her brother Oscar, and toured in West Africa following the album’s success. Political restrictions on artistic freedom led her to relocate to Paris in 1983. In Paris she enrolled at the CIM jazz school and planed originally to study law before committing to music. It was there she met musician Jean Hebrail, who became her husband and longtime musical collaborator.
In Paris Kidjo worked as a backing vocalist and in 1985 became lead singer for Jasper van’t Hof’s band Pili Pili. With Pili Pili she recorded several albums in the late 1980s and around the turn of the decade, and in 1989 she released her solo album Parakou on the Open Jazz label, which helped attract wider attention.
Her international profile grew after she signed with Island Records in 1991 and released Logozo, which reached number one on the Billboard World Albums chart. Subsequent albums mixed African musical roots with pop, jazz and world influences. Notable records across her career include Ayé (1994), which led to her first Grammy nomination; Fifa (1995), which features a collaboration with Carlos Santana; and a trilogy of albums beginning with Oremi (1998) and continuing with Black Ivory Soul (2002) and Oyaya! (2004).
Kidjo’s work has been recognized repeatedly at the Grammy Awards. She won Best Contemporary World Music Album for Djin Djin (2007); Best Contemporary World Music Album again for Sings with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg (released 2015); Best Global Music Album for Eve (2014); Best World Music Album for Celia (2019); and Best Global Music Album for Mother Nature (2022). Other career highlights include collaborations with major producers and composers, a live album recorded for a PBS special (Spirit Rising, 2012), and a long-standing interest in reworking influential albums, as with her 2018 reinterpretation of Talking Heads’ Remain in Light.
Kidjo has also worked with classical ensembles and composers: she premiered IFÉ: Three Yoruba Songs with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg in January 2014, a work by Philip Glass that later received its American premiere with the San Francisco Symphony.
Public profile
Throughout her career Kidjo has maintained a strong presence on international stages and at high-profile events. She has performed at Nobel Peace Prize Concerts, major festivals and benefit concerts, and venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Her festival and concert appearances include Lilith Fair, Live 8, Live Earth, Quincy Jones events, and tours with artists of different genres. She has used those platforms to champion cultural exchange and humanitarian causes, including performances tied to the United Nations and Amnesty International.
Her honors extend beyond music awards to civic and international recognition, reflecting both artistic achievements and advocacy. She has received honorary doctorates and numerous awards from cultural institutions and international organizations.
Personal life
Kidjo is married to musician and producer Jean Hebrail; they were married in 1987 and have collaborated musically for many years. She was raised Christian and identifies with both Fon and Yoruba heritage through her parents.
Latest updates
In recent years Kidjo continued to release acclaimed albums and receive high-level recognition. Her 2021 album Mother Nature featured collaborations with younger African artists and won international accolades. She has remained active in live performance and in bringing African musical traditions to new contexts, including orchestral collaborations and large-scale tribute projects. In 2025 she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, adding to a long list of honors that span decades.
Kidjo’s career is marked by musical versatility, cross-genre collaborations, and sustained engagement with social causes, making her one of the most visible and decorated artists to emerge from West Africa in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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Recent Work
Album featuring collaborations with young African artists; received international recognition.
2021Tribute album to Cuban singer Celia Cruz; won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.
2019Re-imagining of Talking Heads’ 1980 album with African musical influences.
2018Career Highlights
- Multiple Grammy Awards across categories including Best Contemporary World Music Album and Best Global Music Album
- Premiered works with orchestras including a Philip Glass composition
- Performances at Nobel Peace Prize Concerts, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and major international festivals
- Honorary degrees and numerous international cultural and humanitarian awards
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Angélique Kidjo born?
Angélique Kidjo was born on 14 July 1960.
What is Angélique Kidjo known for?
Angélique Kidjo is known for singer, songwriter, actress, activist.
What is Angélique Kidjo’s marital status?
Angélique Kidjo's marital status is listed as Married.
Who is Angélique Kidjo married to?
Angélique Kidjo is publicly listed as married to Jean Hebrail.
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