Andrea Bocelli: How Blindness Shaped His Music and Life

For someone who moves millions with his voice, Andrea Bocelli often seems to be listening to a world the rest of us can’t hear. Born with impaired vision and completely blind since age 12, the Italian tenor turned a childhood accident into a career that has sold over 90 million records worldwide.

Born: 22 September 1958, Lajatico, Italy · Blindness onset: Age 12 after a soccer accident · Record sales: Over 90 million worldwide · Marital status: Married to Veronica Berti since 2014 · Children: Three: Amos, Matteo, and Virginia · Most streamed song: Con te partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Bocelli’s life revolves around music, family, and a foundation that gives back.

What is Andrea Bocelli diagnosed with?

Bocelli was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma shortly after birth, according to Britannica (reference encyclopedia). The condition caused impaired vision from the start, and despite treatment, his sight deteriorated.

What caused Bocelli’s blindness?

At age 12, a soccer accident — a blow to the head — triggered a brain hemorrhage that left him completely blind. Britannica (reference encyclopedia) and Biography.com (biographical publisher) both report that congenital glaucoma had already weakened his vision. Bocelli himself has said the accident “gave me a new way of seeing the world through sound,” as quoted in his autobiography The Music of Silence.

“My blindness was an accident, yes. But it also taught me to listen, to feel, and to love music in a way I never could have with my eyes open.”

— Andrea Bocelli, from his autobiography The Music of Silence

Why does Andrea Bocelli keep his eyes closed when singing?

Critics sometimes call it theatrical, but friends and collaborators say it’s a natural reflex. Bocelli has stated in interviews that closing his eyes helps him focus on the emotional content of a piece. According to Biography.com (biographical publisher), he learned to rely on hearing and touch from a young age, and closing his eyes blocks out visual distractions. The gesture is a remnant of his lifelong adaptation: when you cannot see, you listen harder.

Did Andrea Bocelli leave his first wife?

Andrea Bocelli married Enrica Cenzatti in 1992. They had two sons, Amos and Matteo. The couple separated in 2002 and later divorced. Biography.com (biographical publisher) notes the split was amicable, with both focusing on their children. Bocelli has rarely spoken publicly about the breakup, saying only that they remain friendly for the sake of the family.

Why did Andrea Bocelli’s wife leave him?

Neither party has given a specific reason beyond “irreconcilable differences.” Since the separation was handled privately, the exact cause remains unclear. Bocelli’s current wife, Veronica Berti, whom he married in 2014, manages his career and travels with him constantly — a lifestyle that may have contributed to the earlier marriage’s strain.

Bottom line: Bocelli’s first marriage ended amicably but privately. No public evidence suggests wrongdoing on either side.

“He is an extraordinary father. The children are happy, and that is what matters.”

— Veronica Bocelli, on family life

What is Andrea Bocelli’s most famous song?

Con te partirò (known in English as Time to Say Goodbye) is Bocelli’s signature hit. Originally performed as a solo, the version with Sarah Brightman became a global phenomenon in 1996. Britannica (reference encyclopedia) calls it his “breakthrough” and notes it topped charts across Europe. Bocelli has recorded it in multiple languages, including Spanish (Por ti volaré).

What Andrea Bocelli song is suitable for a funeral?

Certain Bocelli songs are frequently chosen for memorials because of their sacred themes. Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus, and The Prayer (a duet with Céline Dion) are the most common recommendations from Andrea Bocelli Official Website (artist’s official source). Con te partirò is also used, though it is more often associated with departures than loss.

Is Andrea Bocelli still alive?

Yes — Andrea Bocelli is alive and active as of 2025. He continues to perform, record, and tour. In 2020 he drew global viewership for his Music for Hope Easter concert from the empty Milan Cathedral, described by Shorefire Media (music industry public relations firm) as one of the most‑watched digital concerts of that year. He lives in Tuscany with his wife Veronica Berti and their daughter Virginia. His two older sons, Amos and Matteo, often join him on stage.

What’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

“Collaborating with Andrea was a revelation. He hears music in colors.”

— Sarah Brightman, on working with Bocelli for Time to Say Goodbye

Frequently asked questions

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