About
Biography
Diana Gudaevna Gurtskaya, born on July 2, 1978, in Sukhumi, then part of the Georgian SSR, Soviet Union, is a Georgian-Russian pop singer, philanthropist, and advocate for people with disabilities. Blind since birth, she has built a successful career in music, becoming one of the most well-known visually impaired artists in Eastern Europe.
Diana was born into a family with four children. From an early age, she showed a strong interest in music, despite her visual impairment. She attended a specialized boarding school for visually impaired children in Tbilisi, where she developed her musical talent.
Her passion for music led her to study at the Central Music School in Moscow. She later continued her education at the Gnessin State Musical College, one of the most prestigious institutions for classical music in Russia.
Diana’s first significant recognition came in 1995, when she won an international junior song contest. This victory launched her career, and she soon became known across the former Soviet Union.
In 2000, she released her debut album, “Ты здесь” (You’re Here), which included several hit songs and introduced her unique vocal style to a wider audience. Over the years, she released multiple successful albums, collaborating with renowned artists such as Ray Charles, Toto Cutugno, and Demis Roussos.
Her music, often characterized by emotional ballads and strong lyrical themes, resonated with audiences, making her a beloved figure in Russian and Georgian music.
In 2007, Diana attempted to represent Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest by competing in Eurofest 2007, the country’s national selection. She performed the song “How Long”, a heartfelt ballad. However, she did not win the selection, and Belarus was ultimately represented by Dmitry Koldun with “Work Your Magic”.
Despite not winning Eurofest, Diana remained determined to participate in Eurovision.
In 2008, Diana was selected to represent Georgia at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia with the song “Peace Will Come”. Her performance was accompanied by a moving stage presentation that emphasized the song’s message of hope and unity.
She competed in the second semi-final on May 22, 2008, and successfully qualified for the grand final. In the final, held on May 24, 2008, she finished 11th out of 25 countries, earning 83 points. Her participation marked Georgia’s second-ever appearance in the contest and helped solidify her status as an international artist.
Beyond her musical career, Diana is deeply involved in advocacy for people with disabilities. She established the Diana Gurtskaya Foundation, which focuses on supporting visually impaired children and promoting their integration into society.
For her contributions to culture and philanthropy, she received the honorary title of “Honored Artist of the Russian Federation” in 2006, awarded by President Vladimir Putin. Later, in 2022, she was further recognized as a “People’s Artist of the Russian Federation”, one of the country’s highest artistic honors.
In 2018, she launched the Center for Social Integration, an initiative aimed at supporting people with disabilities through various art and cultural programs.
In 2005, Diana married Pyotr Kucherenko, a professor of law and politician. The couple had a son, Konstantin, born in June 2007. However, tragedy struck in 2023, when Pyotr passed away unexpectedly.
