Yiannis Parios Biography: Lyrics, Playlists, Wife, Children, Age, Net Worth, Height, Siblings, Parents, Albums

  Ioannis Varthakouris, widely known as Yiannis Parios, is a legendary Greek singer, songwriter, and lyricist renowned for his emotive love ballads and island-inspired music, earning him the title “Singer of Love.”

With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous platinum-selling albums, including the record-breaking Nisiotika (1982), which sold 1.4 million copies, the highest in Greek music history.

His soulful voice, collaborations with leading Greek composers, and international performances have made him a cultural icon in Greece and among the Greek diaspora.

Profile

• Full Name: Ioannis Varthakouris
• Stage Name: Yiannis Parios
• Born: March 8, 1946
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: Paros, Greece
• Nationality: Greek
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Lyricist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Marouso Varthakouri, Charalampos Varthakouris
• Siblings: Nikos Varthakouris, Georgia Varthakouri, Eleni Varthakouris, and Anna Varthakouri
• Spouse: Dina Markesi (m. 1972–1986), Sophia Aliberti (m. 1986–1998)
• Children: Harry Varthakouris, Thanasis Varthakouris, Michalis Varthakouris, Nikos Varthakouris
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $5–10 million

Early Life and Education

Ioannis Varthakouris, known as Yiannis Parios, was born on March 8, 1946, on the island of Paros, Greece, to  Marouso Varthakouri and Charalampos Varthakouris.

He grew up alongside his siblings, Nikos, Georgia, Eleni, and Anna. Growing up on a Cycladic island, he was immersed in traditional Aegean music, which shaped his musical style.

He pursued medical studies in Athens but left to focus on music, having no formal education in the field. His ethnicity is Greek, and while he was raised in a Greek Orthodox context, his personal religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Yiannis Parios launched his music career in 1969, performing in Athens nightclubs. His breakthrough came with the 1972 hit “Tora Pia,” a Greek adaptation of Alain Barrière’s “Tu t’en vas,” which became a massive success and marked the start of a trend of adapting foreign melodies to Greek lyrics.

His early albums, released under Minos EMI, showcased his tender voice and romantic lyricism, quickly earning him a devoted following. Collaborations with composers such as Manos Loizos and Mikis Theodorakis established him as a versatile artist in the laïko and éntekhno genres.

Parios’s career peaked with the 1982 album Nisiotika, a collection of Aegean island songs that resonated deeply with audiences and achieved unprecedented sales of 1.4 million units, a record in Greek music.

His 1985 album Ego Kai Esy, featuring the hit “Kokkino Garyfallo” with Haris Alexiou, further solidified his fame, with songs like “Imerologio Monaksias” covered internationally by Turkish artists Alpay and Ajda Pekkan.

He performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall, captivating Greek diaspora audiences in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. His songwriting and compositions for other artists also expanded his influence.

Parios remains a towering figure in Greek music, with over 40 albums, including recent releases like Den M Agapao (2023) and Animera Tou Erota (2024). His performances, such as the 2007 recital To Resital Mias Fonis, and collaborations with his son Harry Varthakouris, reflect his enduring passion.

Known for his ability to convey love’s joys and sorrows, Parios has left a lasting legacy through his emotional depth and connection to Greek island culture, influencing generations of musicians and fans worldwide.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @yiannisparios_official
• Facebook Handle: Yiannis Parios
• Twitter Handle: Unknown
• YouTube Handle: @YiannisPariosOfficial

Personal Life

Yiannis Parios was married to Dina Markesi from 1972 to 1986, with whom he has two sons, Harry and Thanasis Varthakouris. He later married actress Sophia Aliberti from 1986 to 1998, and they have two sons, Michalis and Nikos Varthakouris. Currently single, Parios maintains a private life, focusing on his family and music.

Discography

• Yiannis Parios (1971)
• Nisiotika (1982)
• Ego Kai Esy (1985)
• Parios-Erotas (2000)
• Mia Sinithismeni Mera (2003)
• To Kalo Pou Sou Thelo (2003)
• Yiannis Parios 35 Hronia (2004)
• Ela Mou Hamogela Mou (2016)
• Ah Agapi…Ah Erota (2020)
• Den M’Agapao (2023)
• Animera Tou Erota (2024)

Net Worth

Yiannis Parios has an estimated net worth of $5–10 million. His wealth primarily comes from his prolific music career, including album sales, royalties from hits like Nisiotika, and extensive international performances.

Additional income is derived from his songwriting and lyric contributions for other artists, as well as residuals from his long-standing discography with Minos EMI.