Aliki Vougiouklaki

Aliki started out as a film star in Greek cinema in the 50s! She was sort of a Bardot type..cute, blonde. I saw film montages during the week of her funeral on the Greek news. She was part of the golden age of Greek cinema and her career continued through the 70s and then she turned to theater. (She sang in some of her films.) In Never On Sunday, the handsome Greek actor that in the end Melina Mercouri settles down with was Aliki's first husband . He also was a leading film star in Greece. One of her first triumphs was Sally Bowles in the Greek Cabaret. She apparently built a state of the art theater and starred in all kinds of roles..from My Fair Lady to Victor/Victoria..and of course Evita.

Her last role and public appearance was as Maria in The Sound of Music. She did a Christmas special with the cast on Greek TV centered around the production. At this point she was at least 60(+) and looked about 30, and bore a resemblance to, of all people, Pia Zadora. She appeared ageless.

It was during the run of the show she was diagnosed with cancer. She came to the US for treatment but it was not successful. When she died, there were thousands in the streets mourning. Her former husband (now extremely overweight and unrecognizable), their son and Aliki's last lover, who appeared to be younger than the son, walked through Athens with the casket. There was a puppet show entertaining the kids, the traditional-looking little Greek women all in black wailing and sobbing. At one point at the cemetery the casket was opened so the family could kiss the body. Totally fascinating. If I remember correctly almost the entire news show was devoted to her . Even a year later on the anniversary I would say half of the evening news was devoted to remembering Aliki.

Thanks to Jeff for this fascinating story and photos.

© 2001