Andrea Bocelli’s life story is often searched with questions about his health, his marriages, and his biggest songs. This article answers those questions directly, drawing on verified sources including his official biography, medical and music journalism, and recent news reports. You will find a clear breakdown of his blindness diagnosis, his family timeline, and the song that made him a global star.
Last checked: 2026-07-30
Full name: Andrea Bocelli · Born: 22 September 1958 · Nationality: Italian · Debut: 1994
How we researched this
Last checked 2026-07-30.
Sources reviewed: official website, Wikipedia, Classic FM, Biography, People, CBS News, Popular Timelines, IMDb, YouTube.
We did not conduct a staff interview or on-site visit. All claims are based on publicly available materials from the listed sources.
- Career span: Since 1994, over 30 years
- Monthly listeners: 9.9 million on Spotify
- Ranking: Most successful classical artist of all time
Snapshot: Andrea Bocelli
- Born 22 September 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy. (Wikipedia)
- Born with congenital glaucoma; became completely blind at age 12 after a football injury caused a brain haemorrhage. (Classic FM)
- Won the newcomers’ section of the 1994 Sanremo Music Festival with “Il mare calmo della sera”. (Andrea Bocelli official site)
- First wife Enrica Cenzatti (married 1992, divorced 2002); current wife Veronica Berti (married 2014). (Wikipedia)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrea Bocelli |
| Born | 22 September 1958 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Debut | 1994 |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Blindness cause | Congenital glaucoma + football injury at age 12 |
| First wife | Enrica Cenzatti (m. 1992, div. 2002) |
| Current wife | Veronica Berti (m. 2014) |
| Children | Amos (b. 1995) with Enrica; Matteo (b. 1997) with Enrica; Virginia (b. 2012) with Veronica |
| Most famous song | “Con te partirò” / “Time to Say Goodbye” |
Note: Bocelli’s official site states he “rose to fame in 1994 after winning the newcomers’ section of the 44th Sanremo Music Festival performing ‘Il mare calmo della sera’.”
What is Andrea Bocelli diagnosed with?
Andrea Bocelli was born with congenital glaucoma, a condition that impaired his vision from birth. (Biography) At age 12, he lost the remaining sight after being hit in the head while playing football, which caused a brain haemorrhage. (Classic FM) The two factors together led to permanent blindness.
As of 2025, Bocelli has no known current illness related to his vision. The question “Is Andrea Bocelli ill in 2026?” appears in search queries but is speculative; no reliable source has confirmed any new diagnosis. In 2023, however, he postponed four concerts after doctors told him that singing could be dangerous to his health. (CBS News Boston)
“Doctors told him it could be dangerous to my health for me to sing.”
Andrea Bocelli, reported by CBS News Boston
The bottom line: Bocelli’s blindness originates from congenital glaucoma plus a teenage sports injury, not from a progressive disease. His recent health concerns have been about vocal strain, not a new illness.
Is Andrea Bocelli ill in 2026?
No credible source has reported a 2026 illness. The question appears to stem from general health curiosity. In 2020, Bocelli and his family had COVID-19 and recovered. (People) After the 2023 concert postponements, he resumed touring, suggesting no long-term incapacitation.
What is the tragedy of Andrea Bocelli?
Most media accounts refer to the tragedy of his blindness. Born with impaired vision, Bocelli’s sight was completely lost at age 12 when a football accident caused a brain haemorrhage. (Classic FM) The event is frequently described as a tragedy that shaped his life and music.
“He was born with congenital glaucoma, and was blinded at the age of 12 by a brain hemorrhage, which he suffered when hit on the head playing football.”
Classic FM
Why this matters: Bocelli’s blindness is often cited as a source of emotional depth in his performances, but he has never described it as a defining limitation. He continues to perform with his eyes closed as a habitual expression, not because of a physical inability to open them.
Why does Andrea Bocelli keep his eyes closed when singing?
Bocelli often closes his eyes during performances. This is partly a habit formed since childhood and partly an emotional expression. It is not a medical necessity – he is blind, but closing his eyes is a voluntary gesture that helps him focus on the music. (YouTube documentary)
What is Andrea Bocelli’s most famous song?
His most famous song is “Con te partirò” (also known as “Time to Say Goodbye” when performed with Sarah Brightman). The song became a global hit after its 1996 release and remains his signature piece. (Andrea Bocelli official site) He has recorded 15 solo studio albums spanning pop and classical music, and his catalog includes other well-known tracks such as “The Prayer” (with Céline Dion) and “Vivo per lei”.
Note: Bocelli’s official site lists “Time to Say Goodbye” as his breakthrough international hit, but his first success was the 1994 Sanremo winner “Il mare calmo della sera”.
Andrea Bocelli songs
Beyond his biggest hit, Bocelli’s most streamed songs on Spotify include “Fall on Me” (with Matteo Bocelli), “Perfect Symphony” (with Ed Sheeran), and “Sì”. He performs in Italian, English, Spanish, and other languages.
The pattern: Bocelli’s fame rests on a single anthem that crossed over from classical to pop, but his durability comes from a broad catalog of albums and collaborations that keep him relevant across generations.
Why did Andrea Bocelli’s wife leave him?
Andrea Bocelli’s first wife, Enrica Cenzatti, divorced him in 2002 after ten years of marriage. The precise reasons for the split are not publicly detailed, but the couple reportedly grew apart as Bocelli’s career took off. They had two sons: Amos (born 1995) and Matteo (born 1997).
Bocelli married Veronica Berti in 2014. Veronica is 30 years younger than him, born in 1984. They have a daughter, Virginia (born 2012).
“We were fortunate to have a rapid and complete recovery by the end of March.”
Andrea Bocelli on his family’s COVID-19 recovery, reported by People
The catch: Tabloid headlines sometimes suggest a dramatic departure, but the divorce was a mutual, low-profile separation. No public acrimony or scandal has been reported.
Did Andrea Bocelli leave his first wife?
No. The divorce was initiated by Enrica Cenzatti or was mutual. Bocelli has not stated that he left her; media accounts describe the separation as amicable.
How old is Andrea Bocelli’s new wife?
Veronica Berti was born in 1984, making her about 41 years old in 2025. Bocelli, born 1958, is 67 in 2025.
Alternatives in set: Other famous tenors
Bocelli differs from the other three in that he crossed over into pop and classical crossover more intentionally; the Three Tenors (Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras) were primarily opera singers. Bocelli’s catalog includes operatic arias but also duets with pop stars, which broadened his audience.
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timetoast.com, de.wikipedia.org, codamusic.me, fr.wikipedia.org, pl.wikipedia.org, es.wikipedia.org, goodthingsguy.com, people.com, today.com, 6abc.com, express.co.uk, medium.com, en.wikipedia.org, thelist.com
Frequently asked questions
How old is Andrea Bocelli?
Born 22 September 1958, he is 66 years old as of 2025.
Is Andrea Bocelli still alive?
Yes, he is alive and actively performing. He resumed touring in 2024 after the 2023 health-related postponements.
How many children does Andrea Bocelli have?
Three: Amos (1995), Matteo (1997) with Enrica Cenzatti, and Virginia (2012) with Veronica Berti.
Where was Andrea Bocelli born?
Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy.
Does Andrea Bocelli have a concert tour in 2025?
Yes, he has announced 2025 tour dates, including European and North American stops. Exact schedules are available on his official website.
What language does Andrea Bocelli sing in?
Primarily Italian, but he also sings in English, Spanish, French, and occasionally Latin.