Overview

Esther Ofarim (born Esther Zaied, June 13, 1941) is an Israeli singer who achieved recognition in the 1960s as part of a popular husband-and-wife duo and later as a solo artist. Her repertoire spans folk, pop and traditional songs, often performed in multiple languages. She became widely known in Europe through recordings, television appearances and international tours.

Early life and musical partnership

Born in what was then British Mandate Palestine, Ofarim began performing at a young age and developed a clear, expressive vocal style. In 1961 she married fellow musician Abi Ofarim and the two formed the duo Esther & Abi Ofarim. Their partnership combined close vocal harmonies with contemporary arrangements, and they recorded and performed throughout Europe and beyond.

Musical style, languages and recordings

Ofarim's work includes interpretations of Israeli folk songs, European pop, and adaptations of contemporary material. She became known for singing in Hebrew, English, German and French, which helped the duo and her solo recordings find audiences across linguistic borders. Their recordings often mixed acoustic folk elements with pop sensibilities, making them accessible to both mainstream and folk-oriented listeners.

Notable achievements

  • With Abi Ofarim she reached international success during the 1960s; the duo scored chart hits and frequent television appearances.
  • She finished second in the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest, performing the song "T'en vas pas" while representing Switzerland in the competition.
  • The duo achieved notable commercial success with songs that entered national charts in several countries, and one of their best-known singles reached the top of the UK singles chart in the late 1960s.

Later career and legacy

The couple divorced in 1970 and their professional partnership ended. After the split, Ofarim pursued a solo career, continuing to record and perform. She remains a respected figure in Israeli popular music and in the 1960s European scene for her clear voice, multilingual repertoire and role in bringing Israeli and folk-influenced songs to wider audiences.

Further reading and references

For the Hebrew form of her name see Hebrew name. For information about the 1963 contest see Eurovision 1963. Background on her partnership is available under Abi Ofarim.