Cape Town – World-famous South African opera singer Mimi Coertse has passed away in Pretoria at the age of 93.
The news of her death was shared by her long-time friend, Lizet Du Plessis, in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
“It is with great sadness to share with everyone who loved her that our Mimi passed away peacefully in her sleep last night,” she wrote.
She added that her thoughts were with Coertse’s children, Mia and Werner, as well as her grandchildren, whom she “loved so fiercely”.
According to SABC, Coertse rose to international prominence in the 1950s and was widely regarded as one of the finest sopranos in the world.
She made her debut at the Vienna State Opera, performing the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. Over the years, she performed on some of the world’s leading opera stages.
In 1965, she became the youngest singer to be named to the permanent ensemble of the Vienna State Opera a significant milestone in an already distinguished career.
IOL reported that throughout her life, Coertse received numerous honours and accolades, including the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, the title of Kammersängerin, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Pretoria.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced at a later stage.
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Picture: Facebook/ Lizet Du Plessis
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
