Macedonia queen of gypsy music dies at age 73

Associated Press
FILE - In this July 20, 2006 file photo, Esma Redzepova, a Gypsy from Macedonia, performs on the Dome stage during the Paleo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland. Redzepova, called the "Queen of Gypsy music," died on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at the age of 73 in Macedonia's capital, according to local media. (Martial Trezzini / Keystone via AP, FILE)

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Esma Redzepova, one of the most powerful voices in the world of Gypsy music, has died in Macedonia's capital after a brief illness, according to local media. She was 73.

Called the "Queen of Gypsy music," Redzepova in 2010 was ranked among the 50 greatest voices in the world by National Public Radio.

News website Sakam da kazam reported that she died Sunday, citing family members.

She started singing in the early 1950s and was active almost to the end. Redzepova was the leading voice of her husband Stevo Teodosievski's ensemble, which performed Roma and Macedonian folk music. In 2013, she represented Macedonia at the Eurovision song contest.

Redzepova and her husband had fostered 47 children. She was also known as an advocate for Roma women's rights.