Greek singer Dimitris Kokotas has died at the age of 57, official medical reports confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The popular performer passed away following extended health complications that began after he suffered a severe heart attack in March 2024.
An official medical bulletin detailing his death was released at 6:03 pm local time on Tuesday. Kokotas had remained hospitalized and under medical care since his sudden cardiac event two years earlier.
Just two days before his heart attack in March 2024, Kokotas gave what turned out to be his final television interview. He appeared on the morning program Proino SouSou alongside actress Traiana Anania, who was his singing partner on the television musical competition J2US, also known as Just the 2 of Us.
The television appearance on March 26, 2024, was intended to discuss their participation in the music show, which pairs celebrities with professional vocalists for duet performances.
Final Television Appearance and Music Comeback
During the interview, Kokotas spoke candidly about returning to the stage, confiding that he felt as though he was standing at the starting line once again. He expressed enthusiasm about restarting his artistic career after a period of absence.
Kokotas stated that he felt like he was starting from scratch. He added that he was fortunate to have great songs that he still enjoyed performing, written by notable Greek songwriters Phoebus, Stefanos Karvelas, Giorgos Theofanous, and Nikos Miliotakis, which had helped him immensely and continued to do so. Despite his past hits, he confided that he felt as though he was starting over from the beginning.
Addressing his absence from television, Kokotas clarified that staying off the small screen was a personal choice. He explained that he viewed television exposure solely as a means to promote his musical work, stating that he chose not to appear unless he had something specific to communicate about his work.
Kokotas admitted during the interview that he later reconsidered his position. He said that he was wrong to stay away and acknowledged that he should have appeared on screen more often in the past. Video footage of the interview showed his statements occurring after the two-hour and 15-minute mark of the broadcast.
Tributes from Colleagues and Musical Legacy
News of his death brought tributes from fellow artists and friends across Greece. His J2US singing partner Traiana Anania posted a farewell message to Kokotas, writing that she would meet him in the heavens for many more duets.
Sandra Voutsa also paid tribute to Kokotas, describing him as a bright and radiant person and a wonderful human being. Musician Harry Varthakouris shared his sorrow, stating that the greatest gift someone can leave behind is for people to smile whenever they remember them.
Kokotas was the son of Stamatis Kokotas, one of Greece's most famous traditional laiko singers. The younger Kokotas built a prominent pop career during the 1990s with popular songs including Anemona, a track he almost did not record, while his family legacy was tied to classics such as Gie mou.
