Maria Ilieva is a Bulgarian singer and producer recognized as the most successful female vocal artist of the contemporary Bulgarian music scene.
Early life
Maria Ilieva was born in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, in a family of renowned musicians. Her mother, Vanya Moneva, is the choir-master of the Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria choir and her father, Krasimir Iliev, is the conductor of Sofia Wind Orchestra. Trained pianist since the age of five, she developed her vocal skills as a member of the “Petko Stainov” Choir Academy.
Ilieva graduated from the elite Sofia High School of Mathematics. She proceeded to receive a Master’s degree in Insurance and a Master’s degree in International Relations. Her career as a performing vocal artist started in the late 90’s, when she was the lead vocalist of the Kaffe Band – best known abroad for representing Bulgaria at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.