Background
Dorotea Dragović was born in Split, Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia, and had an interest in singing since her childhood.
Dorotea Dragović was born in Split, Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia, and had an interest in singing since her childhood.
She came to regional prominence in early 1980s as a member of musical group More, and began her solo career in 1986, The same year, she represented Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen with the song "Željo moja", and finished the 11th with 49 points.
She represented Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 with the song "Željo moja", finishing 11th with 49 points, and Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "Marija Magdalena", finishing fourth with 118 points. She cites Arsen Dedić, Gabi Novak and Tereza Kesovija as her biggest influences and childhood idols. Dragović has since been one of the most famous popular singers in Yugoslavia, later Croatia and its region.
Dragović placed a respectable fourth in Jerusalem, despite having been drawn early in the singing order, sometimes cited as a disadvantage.
Her performance also included the removal of some of her clothing — seen jocularly as a staple of Eurovision performances — and was well received in the first contest in which most countries allocated their points after a public telephone vote. This remains one of Croatia"s best results at the contest.
"Marija Magdalena" was also a radio hit on Greek radio station FLY FM 89,7 and reached number one on its airplay.