Vlado Kalember Biography: Songs, Wife, Album, Net Worth, Height, Age, Ethnicity

Vlado Kalember is a Croatian pop singer known for his distinctive, raspy voice, which made him one of the most recognizable figures in Yugoslav and Croatian pop music.

Rising to fame as the lead vocalist of the band Srebrna Krila during the 1970s and 1980s, Kalember captivated audiences across the Balkans with romantic hits and emotional performances.

His duet with Izolda Barudžija at the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest brought him international attention, while his enduring solo career has secured his place as a respected veteran of the regional music industry.

Profile

• Full name: Vladimir Kalember
• Nickname: Vlado
• Date of birth: April 26, 1953
• Age: 72 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Strumica, PR Macedonia, FPR Yugoslavia
• Nationality: Croatian
• Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer
• Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs)
• Eye color: Dark Brown
• Hair color: Brown (graying)
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Ana Rucner (m. 2006, div. 2014)
• Children: Darian Kalember
• Relationship status: Divorced
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: Croatian (Yugoslav heritage)
• Net worth: $1 million – $3 million

Early Life and Education

Vlado Kalember was born on April 26, 1953, in Strumica, then part of the People’s Republic of Macedonia within the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. He spent much of his early childhood moving with his family before settling in Zagreb, where his musical interests flourished.

Although details about his formal education remain scarce, Kalember showed an early inclination for performance and songwriting. His early exposure to Western pop and rock music of the 1960s shaped his later vocal style—deep, sensual, and unmistakable.

By the early 1970s, he was already performing with local bands before joining Srebrna Krila, the group that would launch him to stardom.

Personal Life

Vlado Kalember was married to renowned Croatian cellist Ana Rucner from 2006 to 2014. The two met through their shared involvement in the music industry and became one of Croatia’s most talked-about celebrity couples. Despite their eventual divorce, they have remained close friends and co-parent their son, Darian Kalember, born in 2008.

Career

Vlado Kalember’s rise to fame began in the mid-1970s when he became the lead singer of Srebrna Krila (Silver Wings). The band quickly became a phenomenon across Yugoslavia, known for romantic pop hits and polished performances that appealed to audiences of all ages.

Some of his most beloved songs from this era include:

• Vino na usnama
• Ana
• Ja nisam kockar
• Lili
• Otkad si otišla

In 1984, Kalember represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Izolda Barudžija with the song Ciao Amore, held in Luxembourg. Although the song finished mid-table, it remains a fan favorite among Eurovision enthusiasts and solidified his reputation beyond Yugoslavia.

After leaving Srebrna Krila, he embarked on a solo career, producing several successful albums through the 1980s and 1990s. He also joined the musical project 4 Asa, collaborating with other major Yugoslav pop artists such as Jasmin Stavros and Rajko Dujmić.

Kalember’s unique husky vocal tone and heartfelt delivery made him one of the most recognizable voices in the former Yugoslavia.

He continues to perform throughout Croatia and neighboring countries, often appearing in nostalgia-themed concerts celebrating the golden age of Yugoslav pop music.

Awards and Nominations

• Porin Music Award (Lifetime Achievement Nominee, 2015)
• Croatian Radiotelevision Award for Contribution to Music (2010)
• Festival Opatija – Best Vocal Performance (1981)
• Zlatna nota (Golden Note) Regional Pop Award (1986)
• YouTube Music Legacy Recognition for Vino na usnama surpassing 10 million streams (2023)

Net Worth

Vlado Kalember’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million USD.

Social Media

• Instagram: @vladokalemberofficial
• YouTube: Vlado Kalember

Filmography

• Eurovision Song Contest 1984 – performer (Ciao Amore)
• Ljeto u zlatnoj dolini (soundtrack contribution, 1986)
• Hit Mix Yugoslav Pop Classics (TV appearances, 1990s–2020s)

Discography

Albums:

• Vlado Kalember (1982)
• Kao da te ne volim (1984)
• Ljubav je u nama (1987)
• Nisam te zaboravio (1992)
• Ljubav se ne prodaje (2000)
• Tvoje ime (2013)

Singles:

• Vino na usnama
• Ja nisam kockar
• Ana
• Lili
• Otkad si otišla
• Ja odavde, ona s juga
• Odoh u mornare
• Doris