Biography:

Małgorzata Magda Umer-Przeradzka (pronunciationⓘ) (/ˈʊmɛər/; 9 October 1949 – 12 December 2025) was a Polish singer[1], performer of sung poetry, journalist, author, film director, screenwriter, actress, and author.

Life and career

Małgorzata Magda Umer was born to Edward Umer, the head of the Special Section of the Main Directorate of Information of the Polish Army[2] and Stanisława Umer. Her father was Jewish,[3] son of Otylia and Wincenty Umer, brother of Adam Humer. Both of Magda Umer’s parents were atheists; she converted to Roman Catholicism as an adult.[4] Her godmother was actress Kalina Jędrusik.

She graduated from Klement Gottwald High School in Warsaw (now the Stanisław Staszic High School). Later she studied at the Faculty of Polish Philology at Warsaw University. She made her debut in the late 1960s by singing in student cabarets.

The debuted towards the end of the 1960s, performing in student stage groups, e. g. at the club Stodoła[5]. In 1969, having successfully participated at the Winter Song Exchange competition [Pl. Zimowa Giełda Piosenki] she was allowd to compete as a newcomer during the Opole Song Festival, being distinguished for her performance[5]. A month later she was victorious during the Polish Students’ Art Festival [Pl. Festiwal Artystyczny Młodzieży Akademickiej][5]. In 1970, the won during that same competition again, and in 1971, she was also crowned during that year’s Opole Music Festival[5]. She continued to sing and compete throughout the 1970s and 1980s[5].

Umer had two sons, Mateusz and Franciszek. She died on December 12th, 2025, aged 76, of pancreatic cancer[6][7][8][9][10] in a hospital in Warsaw after a six-month struggle with the disease[11]

Awards and honors

Umer was a winner of the 7th Opole Song Festival.[12]

By order of the President of the Republic of 15 December 2000 “for outstanding contribution to the activities of the student movement, for achievements in social work” Umer was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.[13]

Credits: