Željko Samardžić was born on October 3, 1955, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His father was Montenegrin, and his mother was Croatian from Mostar. Due to his father's work in the Yugoslav People's Army, the family frequently moved, and Željko lived in Nikšić, Igalo, Zadar, and Mostar. During high school, he began singing and became known in Mostar as a good impersonator of Kemal Monteno. His musical activity at that time was more of a hobby; he performed in kafanas and restaurants and occasionally participated in smaller festivals.
After the outbreak of the Bosnian War in 1992, Željko was wounded while sitting in his apartment. Together with his wife and daughter, he managed to escape the city, first through Croatia, then Slovenia and Hungary, and finally reached Serbia. After relocating to Belgrade, he began performing in discotheques and cafés, building a devoted audience. His big breakthrough occurred in 1995 when businessmen who enjoyed his performances noticed him and financed the recording of an album. The album was produced in collaboration with Marina Tucaković and Aleksandar "Futa" Radulović. His performance at the Pjesma Mediterana festival in Budva in 1995 further opened doors to the show business.
His musical repertoire encompasses pop, pop-folk, and disco genres. His songs often explore themes of love, sorrow, and life's challenges. He is known for his emotional vocal performances and energetic live performances. Throughout his career, he has released numerous albums and singles that have become classics in the music scene. His concerts, both domestically and internationally, regularly attract large audiences.
Željko Samardžić is married to Maja Džaferović, with whom he has three daughters and three grandsons.
