Nena

Nena (born Gabriele Susanne Kerner on March 24, 1960, in Hagen, West Germany) is a German singer, songwriter, and actress, best known internationally for her 1983 new wave hit “99 Luftballons”. The song became a global anthem and remains an enduring symbol of peace and Cold War tension.

Her musical journey began in the late 1970s with the band The Stripes, but it was in 1982, after forming the band Nena in Berlin, that she rose to stardom with the debut album Nena (1983) and the breakout single “Nur geträumt”. As a solo artist, she has released numerous albums, revitalized her career with remixes of classic hits, and in 2020 released the studio album Licht. In total, she has sold over 25 million records, making her one of Germany’s most successful pop singers.

Beyond music, Nena is active as an actress and mentor. She served as a coach on The Voice of Germany and co-founded the progressive Neue Schule Hamburg. A mother of five, she will celebrate her 65th birthday in 2025—still confident, inspired, and vibrant both on stage and in her family life.