1. Early Life and Background
Sandra Kim was born Sandra Caldarone on October 15, 1972, in Montegnée, a town near Liège, Belgium. Her family background includes strong Italian roots; her father was an Italian immigrant who hailed from Torrebruna in the Province of Chieti within the Abruzzo region of Italy. Her mother worked as a hairdresser, while her father was an accordionist, suggesting an early exposure to music. Kim began singing at the young age of seven, showing an early inclination towards a musical career.
2. Music Career
Sandra Kim's music career is marked by her early success in the Eurovision Song Contest and subsequent endeavors in various musical and entertainment platforms.
2.1. Eurovision Song Contest 1986
Kim gained international fame when she represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 held in Bergen, Norway. She performed the song "J'aime la vie" (meaning "I love life") and secured the victory, becoming the youngest ever winner of the contest. A notable controversy arose during the contest when it was revealed that Kim was actually 13 years old, despite the lyrics of her song implying she was 15. This discrepancy led to a petition from the Swiss delegation to disqualify her, but the petition ultimately failed, allowing Kim to retain her title. Her win marked a significant moment for Belgium in the contest's history.
2.2. Post-Eurovision Activities
Following her Eurovision triumph, Sandra Kim continued to develop her music career with various international and domestic appearances. In the autumn of 1986, she represented Belgium at the Yamaha Music Festival, also known as the World Popular Song Festival, in Tokyo. There, she performed the song "Liberté" and was awarded a gold prize, further solidifying her international recognition. She also lent her voice to the theme song for the French animated television series Il était une fois... la vie (Once Upon a Time... Life).
Kim's later music releases included the pop rock album Make Up, which was released on May 12, 2011. This album featured collaborations with renowned Belgian artists and songwriters such as Salvatore Adamo, Dani Klein of Vaya Con Dios, Ozark Henry, Anthony Sinatra (from Piano Club), Jacques Duval, and David Bartholomé (from Sharko). In recent years, Sandra Kim has also ventured into reality television. She emerged as the winner of the first season of the Belgian version of The Masked Singer, performing as the character "Queen". In March 2023, she made a guest appearance as a celebrity judge on the episode A deux c'est mieux of the Belgian French-language reality television series Drag Race Belgique, which was broadcast on the Tipik television channel. Her singles "Tokyo Boy" and "Ami-ami" were released in French, while "Bel me, schrijf me" was a Dutch duet with Flemish singer Luc Steeno. She also released English singles "Anyway The Wind Blows" in 2010 and "Who Are You" in 2020.
3. Discography
Sandra Kim has released several albums and singles throughout her career, primarily in French and Dutch, with some English releases.
3.1. Albums
- J'aime la vie (1986, French)
- Bien dans ma peau (1988, French)
- Balance tout (1991, French) / Met open ogen (1991, Dutch)
- Les Sixties (1993, French) / Sixties (1993, Dutch)
- Onvergetelijk (1997, Dutch)
- Heel diep in mijn hart (1998, Dutch, released as a 2-track single but often listed as an album)
- Make Up (2011, English and French)
3.2. Singles
- Ami-ami (French, 1985)
- Tokyo Boy (French, 1986)
- Sorry (French, 1987)
- Bel me, schrijf me (duet with Flemish singer Luc Steeno, Dutch, 1989)
- Anyway The Wind Blows (2010, English)
- Who Are You (2020, English)
4. Personal Life
Sandra Kim's personal life has seen two marriages. In 1994, she married Olivier Gerard, but their marriage ended in divorce a year later. She has been married to Jurgen Delanghe since 2001.
5. Legacy and Impact
Sandra Kim holds a unique place in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest as its youngest-ever winner, having achieved the feat at just 13 years old. This record remains unbroken, establishing her as a notable figure in the contest's long legacy. Beyond her iconic win, Kim has continued to contribute to the Belgian music and entertainment industry for decades, releasing multiple albums in both French and Dutch, and adapting to modern entertainment trends through her participation in reality television shows. Her enduring career highlights her lasting impact and consistent presence in the public eye.