The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is upon us.
The legendary singing competition, which started in 1956, sees 26 European countries entering their best musical talent for a shot at glory.
The eccentric extravaganza’s 69th edition is being held tonight in Basel, Switzerland. An audience of 160 million is expected to tune in for the sensory overload at the St. Jakobshalle Arena, where proceedings will be led by Michelle Hunziker.
The glamorous 48-year-old is a former model who has been presenting on TV for 30 years.
But what was her life like before Eurovision?
Who is Michelle Hunziker and what is she famous for?
Michelle was born in the Sorengo region of Switzerland, which shares a border with Italy to the south.
She landed her first presenting job in 1996 at the age of 19, hosting shows on Italian TV channels, before acting in a series of Italian films.
Through the late 90s, Michelle pivoted back towards presenting as a co-host and reporter, but did land a role as the voice of Gloria in the Italian dub of Madagascar.
From there, she has continued to present on both Italian and Swiss TV and spent 2019 to 2021 as the main host of reality competition All Together Now.
Michelle Hunziker’s husband and family life
From 1998, Michelle Hunziker was married to Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti.
At the time of their wedding, Michelle was 21 and Eros was 35.
She acquired Italian citizenship through their marriage. The couple have a daughter – 28-year-old Aurora – but separated in 2002, finalising their divorce in 2009.
In 2013, Michelle revealed she was engaged to Tomaso Trussardi, an heir to the esteemed Trussardi fashion house, which specialises in leather goods and perfumes. They married in one year later.
They divorced in 2022 but share two children, Sole, 12, and 10-year-old Celeste.
In 2017, Michelle confessed that she felt her 2002 split from Eros had been caused by a sect she joined in 2001 called Warriors of Light.
She claimed they persuaded her into believing that Eros was a bad influence.
The Warriors of Light, based near Bolzano, a secluded mountainous area of northern Italy, promote a militant Catholic lifestyle and recommend celibacy and a vegan lifestyle.
Who is co-hosting Eurovision with Michelle Hunziker?
Michelle will be hosting the Eurovision final alongside the two presenters who have led coverage of the semi-finals, Swiss comedian and TV host Hazel Brugger.
Sandra had previously represented Switzerland at Eurovision 1991, finishing in fifth place, 28 points behind Sweden’s winner that year, Carola.
Michelle will bring almost 30 years of hosting experience to the final.
The UK’s hopes rest with vocal trio Remember Monday, whose ambitious and super-fun song What the Hell Just Happened? is aiming to land the UK’s best finish since Sam Ryder in 2022.
Watch the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on BBC One, Saturday at 8pm.
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