Pupo Celebrates 70th Birthday with Star-Studded Party and Civic Honor in Ponticino
A celebration of music, friendship, and community unfolded in ponticino, Italy, this week as singer Pupo (Enzo ghinazzi) marked his 70th birthday and a remarkable 50-year career. The event, held at the former Country Family hotel, drew a crowd of approximately 2,000 people, including prominent figures from Italian entertainment and politics, alongside devoted fans.
The festivities culminated late into the night with the traditional cutting of the cake, surrounded by a distinguished guest list. Among those in attendance were iconic singer Gianni Morandi, arriving promptly at 8 pm, football legend Giancarlo Antognoni, who was among the first to arrive, undersecretary for culture Gianmarco Mazzi, former Miss Italia Denny Mendez, Paolo Vallesi, and fellow singers donatella Milani and Stefano Sani, all longtime collaborators of Ghinazzi.
“I am a man of the people, in my party there is at least one sandwich for everyone,” Pupo declared, a sentiment reflected in the abundant buffet of ham sandwiches served to the enthusiastic crowd. The event was free to the public, allowing a broad spectrum of admirers to join the celebration.
The transformed Country Family hotel served as more than just a venue; it symbolized Pupo’s personal and professional resurgence. Having overcome past financial difficulties, the singer has experienced a renewed wave of success, and the location represented this rebirth.
A particularly poignant moment occurred between pupo and Gianni Morandi, whose decades-long friendship had faced a challenge years prior when Morandi guaranteed Pupo’s gambling debts, leading to the attachment of his family home in Monghidoro. The past disagreement was now a shared memory, sealed with a warm embrace in front of the assembled photographers. Morandi later took to the stage, performing a medley of his greatest hits, including “On His Knees From You,” “There Was a Boy,” and “One Out of a Thousand Makes It.”
However, the evening truly belonged to Pupo, who delighted the audience with duets alongside his colleagues and friends.He shared the stage with Antognoni for a rendition of “Firenze Santa Maria Novella,” and with donatella Milani, co-author of his best-selling album “On Us,” which includes the hit song “will Be Because I Love You.” The latter performance was particularly meaningful, as the song was inspired by their youthful romance.
The celebration also highlighted Pupo’s personal life, with his wife Anna, partner Patricia, mother Irene, and aunt Silvia – who received special permission to attend from her nursing home – all present.
Prior to the party, Pupo received a critically important honor from the Laterina-Pergine City Council, of which Ponticino is a part, during an exceptional session held at the Country teatro dell’Avento park.He was awarded honorary citizenship, an accolade he described as “the most beautiful moment of my life.”
Looking ahead, Pupo is preparing for a world tour, beginning in Moscow this October – where he enjoys considerable popularity – and culminating at the Verdi Theater in Florence in May 2026. The event, described as a “homem
