Mate Mišo Kovač has died at the age of 86, confirmed by multiple sources. He was a musical legend and one of the greatest Croatian musicians of all time, with a career spanning more than six decades.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed condolences on the death of Mate Mišo Kovač. He highlighted his indelible mark on Croatian music, his special connection to Dalmatia and Hajduk, and the songs that defined generations. Gordan Jandroković, President of the Croatian Parliament, also sent condolences to the family and friends, emphasising his indelible mark on the Croatian music scene, his special bond with the audience, but also the difficult life moments Kovač had endured.
Musicians said goodbye with touching messages. Dražen Zečić stated that without Mišo Kovač, his own singing career would not have existed. "I have no words. My sincere condolences to the family. Mišo has gone, a man whom we all loved and respected and who was an example to many. What he left behind as a singer is hard to describe," Zečić said. He added: "Personally, if it had not been for Mišo, on whose songs I grew up, I would not be a singer. He gave me the self-confidence when I started my career." Zečić noted that he was grateful to Kovač because he recorded the song "Vraćam se" for him at the beginning of his career, during Kovač's peak popularity, which gave him a great boost. The two musicians later collaborated on the song "Idemo dalje pjesmo moja".
Tereza Kesovija said goodbye to her colleague in words to Jutarnji list: "I am sorry. It is terrible. I cannot believe that Mišo is no longer with us." She added: "He really was a giant. He will remain for a long, long time. He sang so that both his soul and body sang. The audience knew it, felt it, and that is why they loved him so much. As a person, he was never envious of anyone. He did not need to be, he knew he was great."
On the Facebook page of Torcida Split choreographies, it was announced that a special part of Mišo Kovač's life was linked to his great love for Hajduk. As a passionate fan, he conveyed his loyalty to Hajduk through songs as well. Mišo Kovač was not just a singer, but the voice of the people, comfort in difficult times and joy in moments of happiness.
Miroslav Škoro wrote on Facebook: "At the same time, sadness, honour and pride. Pride, because I knew you; honour, because I shared the stage with you; and sadness, because a great and dear man has gone who, as early as 1982, had the courage to sing of dreaming of 'another promised land'."
During more than six decades of musical career, Mišo Kovač sold more than 20 million records and won numerous music and discography awards. His hits include "Ako me ostaviš", "Ostala si uvijek ista", "Malo mi je jedan život s tobom", "Proplakat će zora", "Poljubi zemlju", "Dalmacija u mom oku" and many others.
Gibonni posted a photograph of a lit candle on a black background on his Instagram story with the message: "Legend, you opened the doors for many of us. Rest in God's peace". Nina Badrić shared a black-and-white photograph of a smiling Mišo from his younger days, over which the words "You are the song of my soul" were written in red letters, with the message: "Rest in peace, dear Mišo", and she chose his song "Ako me ostaviš" as the musical background.
Jelena Rozga shared a photograph of the cover of one of Mišo's old records on her Instagram story, showing the singer in his younger days, with a broken heart emoji and the song "Jedina prava bila je ona". Antonija Blaće posted a black-and-white photograph of the young singer with his recognisable moustache and large glasses, with the words: "He will live forever" and "Happy journey, Mišo", accompanied by the song "Samo nas nebo rastavit može". Dino Jelusić posted an older photograph of Mišo Kovač in a white T-shirt, with a red rose emoji and the song "Ja ne mogu drugo nego da je ljubim".
Mišo Kovač was earlier paid tribute to on social media by former basketball player Dino Rađa, singer Miroslav Škoro and Joško Čagalj Jole. Maja Šuput said goodbye to Mišo Kovač with a touching photograph and a recollection of important advice, while Dino Rađa did so with a touching post on social media.
