Greek singer Popi Maliotaki has shared a public tribute to her late partner Babis Lazaridis on Instagram, marking nearly 18 years since his murder.
Writing on Tuesday, August 18, Maliotaki published photographs of the couple together alongside a statement explaining that she felt compelled to break her public silence about their relationship.
She said that in a few months it will be 18 years since Lazaridis died, adding that a part of the life they built together vanished forever when he passed away.
Life together and family memories
Maliotaki stated that she had never previously written about Lazaridis in public, but decided to speak out to describe the man she personally knew rather than the figure portrayed by others.
She highlighted their 12 years together, during which they raised two children: their son Vasilis and her daughter Rania, who joined Lazaridis's life as he entered hers.
Lazaridis was present during the children's early years, sharing in the everyday joys and laughter of a family they expected to stay together for many years.
Addressing the difficulties in their relationship, Maliotaki acknowledged that she was deeply hurt by events that caused her pain and changed her as a person.
Tribute to character and legacy
Despite the hardship, she said her truth is that she loved Lazaridis and recognizes qualities in him that cannot be denied, including his honor, kindness, creativity, generosity, and willingness to help others.
Maliotaki noted that while she could also speak publicly about past grievances, she sees no point in doing so and prefers to focus on the positive moments of their shared history.
She emphasized that regardless of how much pain someone might cause, the meaningful times they shared cannot be erased.
Focus on their son Vasilis
Turning to their son Vasilis, Maliotaki described him as the greatest and most precious gift Lazaridis left behind.
She said that if Lazaridis could see Vasilis today, he would be the happiest and most proud father of the person their son has grown to become.
Maliotaki added that looking at their child allows her to see qualities of Lazaridis that time has failed to remove, observing that while time takes a person away, it cannot wipe out what they left behind.
Concluding her tribute, she wrote that Lazaridis remains present 18 years later in memories, photographs, and their son's look, ending with a wish for him to rest in peace and signing off as the singer he first met in Düsseldorf.
