Greek songwriter, composer, author, and politician. Born in Chios on July 29, 1925 - Died in Athens on September 2, 2021.
He wrote over 1,000 songs including the music for the Michael Cacoyannis film ’Zorba the Greek’ (1964). The instrumental Zorba’s Dance (also known as Zorba the Greek) became renowned around the world. He also scored the films ’Z’ (1969, BAFTA Film Award in 1970) and ’Serpico’ (1973). He composed the Mauthausen Trilogy also known as The Ballad of Mauthausen, which has been described as the most beautiful musical work ever written about the Holocaust.
He founded the Μικρή Ορχήστρα Αθηνών (Little Orchestra of Athens) in 1960. In 1983, he was awarded the Lenin Peace Prize.
Father of Μαργαρίτα Θεοδωράκη and George Theodorakis. Older brother of Γιάννης Θεοδωράκης.