A legendary musician and singer who emerged out of post-WWII Europe and entertained millions of fans on multiple continents for several decades has passed away.

Caterina Valente, a French-born Italian who achieved superstardom in Germany, died on September 9 at her home in Switzerland at the age of 93, according to The New York Times.

In addition to being a skilled musician and having the ability to sing fluently in a half-dozen different languages, Valente also exhibited some talent as an actress and appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, portraying both fictional characters and as herself.

A talented woman from a talented family of entertainers

Valente's death was announced on her official website, which noted that the "Grammy-nominated singer, guitarist, and dancer has passed away peacefully of natural causes at her home in Lugano, Switzerland, surrounded by her two sons. She was 93."

"As to the wishes of the deceased, funerals were held in strict privacy, and there will be no further ceremonies or memorials," the announcement added. "We ask you that the privacy of family and friends be respected at this most sensitive of times."

Valente's website shared that she was born in Paris, France, in 1931 as the fourth child of Italian parents Guiseppe, an "accomplished accordion player," and Maria, a talented musician, ballet dancer, and Vaudeville comedian, and Caterina joined her parents and siblings in the family business of music and entertainment at a young age.

The family's traveling act moved to Germany in the 1930s but was placed on hold during World War II, when they endured bombardments, deportation to Italy, and Russian captivity, before eventually returning to Paris and resuming their careers as entertainers after the massive conflict was over.

A superstar in the '50s and '60s

It was in the post-war period of the 1950s and '60s that Valente achieved stardom, particularly in Germany but also in other parts of Europe and even in America, according to The Times.

West German fans especially appreciated her lighthearted and upbeat novelty songs, which helped the beleaguered population move past the recent grim past and devastation, and arguably also boosted economic growth and tourism.

To be sure, Valente was also a big star across Western Europe as well, as she often recorded hit songs in different languages and earned fans in many different nations.

Her talents were also well-liked in the United States, where she routinely appeared for several years on TV as a featured guest on several popular variety shows of that era.

Aside from, or more accurately alongside her music and singing, Valente was also a star on the big screen, as IMDb noted that she had 19 credits as an actress, had her songs featured on 33 soundtracks, and had 142 credited appearances as herself in movies and TV shows.

Tried to retire for several decades

According to her website, Valente attempted to retire from show business in the 1970s but was pulled back in by popular demand and continued to compose and record new music, perform at concerts around the world, and appear on TV and in films.

She finally, without much fanfare, began to quietly retire and wind down her career in the 1990s and early 2000s, and enjoyed her final years in privacy at her home in Switzerland.