Rita Yahan-Farouz

(1962 - )

Rita Yahan-Farouz is an Iranian-born Israeli singer and actress.

Known in Israel simply as Rita, Yahan-Farouz was born in Tehran, Iran and emigrated with her family to Israel in 1970, settling in a suburb of Tel Aviv. Rita studied singing and acting and was perceived as someone with significant talent and potential. She released her first album in 1986 and almost instantly achieved great fame in the world of Israeli popular music. She has represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest, has performed extensively abroad, and has gained international acclaim.

In addition to music, Rita has starred in leading theatrical productions, among them Habimah's staging of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof . Rita was married to Israeli songwriter Rami Kleinstein, with whom she had two children, but they divorced in 2007.

Sources: Wikipedia; The Pedagogic Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for Israel, (c) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Director: Dr. Motti Friedman, Webmaster: Esther Carciente