Ana Bekuta

Ana Bekuta is a Serbian folk-pop singer whose warm, powerful voice has anchored celebrations across the Balkans for five decades. Born Nadežda Polić, she adopted the stage name Ana Bekuta in 1985 and became a household name with hits like "Bekrija" and "Crven konac." As of 2026, she remains a vital presence, still touring, still releasing music, and still mentoring young talents as a judge on Zvezde Granda.

Her catalog spans more than twenty studio albums, and her YouTube channels have accumulated over 196 million views. She is known for blending traditional folk melodies with contemporary pop arrangements, a style that has kept her relevant across generations. Fans admire her resilience, her matriarchal presence on stage, and her ability to connect with audiences whether at a wedding, a festival, or a stadium concert. [edit]

Ana Bekuta grew up in the spa town of Pribojska Banja, in southwestern Serbia, where she was born on September 6, 1959. Her family was modest, and she attended high school in nearby Priboj. Music was an early calling; she made her first public appearance at the age of fifteen in 1974, singing at local events and quickly gaining a reputation for her strong, expressive voice. Unlike many contemporaries who started in local orchestras, she emerged through radio and television appearances, which distinguished her from the start.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she performed across Yugoslavia, building a following through broadcasts rather than the local circuit. In 1985, she adopted the stage name Ana Bekuta, inspired by the famous spa in her hometown, and released her debut album. That record marked her transformation from a regional singer into a national star, setting the stage for a career that would define Serbian folk-pop. [edit]

Ana Bekuta's breakthrough came in 1985 with her debut album under her new stage name, which included the hit "Bekrija," a song that became an anthem for carefree celebration. She followed with a string of successful releases through the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Veseljak," "Zlatiborske zore," and "Kralj ponoći," which solidified her place in the folk-pop genre. Despite the turmoil of the 1990s, she maintained a relentless touring schedule, becoming a staple at weddings and festivals across Serbia and the Balkans.

In 2014, she joined the judging panel of Zvezde Granda, the region's most popular singing competition, expanding her influence beyond performance. In 2023, she released her 21st studio album, I za vas, koji niste smeli, proving her creative drive remains strong. As of 2026, she continues to headline major events, including a performance at the Days of Pljevlja Korzo festival in 2025 and a scheduled appearance as a special guest at Keba's Tasmajdan Stadium concert in Belgrade on September 12, 2026. [edit]

Ana Bekuta is seen as a resilient survivor and a matriarch of Serbian folk music. Her stage presence is elegant, often featuring sequined gowns and vibrant colors that blend traditional and modern styles. She is respected for her longevity and her ability to adapt to new platforms while staying true to her folk roots. Her Instagram, with over 166,000 followers, offers a glimpse into her life, from concert preparations to personal moments. Fans appreciate her candidness, whether she is sharing her grief over a loss or her joy at a packed venue. Even when faced with controversy, such as the snowball incident in Čačak in January 2026, she handled it with grace, maintaining her composure and continuing her performance. [edit]

Ana Bekuta commands a devoted following across the Balkans, though her audience operates without a formal organizational structure or an official name. Her fanbase is characterized by steady engagement rather than the digital-first campaigns seen in global pop stardom, with listeners supporting her through consistent streaming numbers and attendance at regional festivals. While she maintains a significant presence on social media, there are no documented fan-funded projects, charity drives, or ritualized gatherings that define her supporters as a unified entity. The public narrative surrounding her career often blends verified history with enduring personal lore, including stories of her early life challenges and her recent moral standpoints regarding industry standards. These elements have cemented her status as a cultural matriarch whose influence extends beyond mere entertainment into the realm of shared regional memory. Within this landscape of established reputation, her standing in global metrics remains notable. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Ana Bekuta is the 60th most famous person from Serbia, holding steady from the previous cycle. This placement reflects a broad accumulation of attention across media coverage, search activity, and consumption patterns worldwide, confirming her relevance decades after her debut. Her ability to adapt to new platforms while maintaining traditional roots ensures that her profile remains active among both long-time adherents and newer generations of folk music enthusiasts.[edit]

Ana Bekuta adopted her stage name in 1985 as a tribute to the spa in her hometown, a nod to her origins she has maintained throughout her career. She has been a vegetarian for over two decades, a dietary choice she credits with preserving the clarity of her voice. In December 2020, she made headlines when she publicly criticized the industry's pricing models, stating, "We may run out of money, but performances are not worth more than a lifetime." Despite her fame, she prefers quiet evenings at home with her husband and their two dogs. A widely retold story in Serbian and Macedonian media concerns her early life, specifically that she gave birth to a son at age 17 and placed him in an orphanage, a narrative frequently cited in reports from 2020. Another enduring legend involves a romantic relationship with politician Milutin Mrkonjic, which reportedly ended in heartbreak following his death. More recently, her public image was shaped by a verified incident in January 2026 in Čačak, where protesters pelted her with snowballs during a concert due to local outrage over perceived wasteful spending. She also announced herself as a guest performer for Keba's Tasmajdan Concert lineup in July 2026, reaffirming her status as a living legend of the genre.[edit]

Ana Bekuta's family story is marked by both heartbreak and reconciliation. She gave birth to her son, Igor Polić, when she was just seventeen, and, due to the difficult circumstances of the time, placed him in an orphanage. They reunited years later and have since rebuilt their relationship, with Igor now a part of her life. She was deeply close to her mother, who passed away in March 2023; her farewell message, "Rest in the eternity of your love, my dear mother," touched many fans. Today, she lives with her husband, known publicly as Mrka, in Belgrade, where they enjoy a quiet, stable home life. [edit]

Ana Bekuta has shared stages and screens with many of the Balkans' biggest stars. As a judge on Zvezde Granda, she has mentored numerous contestants who went on to successful careers. She has a close friendship with fellow folk singer Goca Tržan, and the two have performed together at festivals. Her long-term partner, the late politician Milutin Mrkonjić, was a prominent figure in Serbian politics, and their relationship drew considerable media attention. In 2026, she is set to appear alongside rapper Keba at his Tasmajdan concert, a testament to her cross-genre appeal. [edit]

Ana Bekuta's personal life has been as eventful as her career. In the 1990s, she entered a long-term relationship with Milutin Mrkonjić, a prominent Serbian politician. Their bond was deep, and when he passed away, she was devastated, later reflecting that she had spent the first half of her life waiting for a "real man." After his death, she found companionship with a man known publicly as Mrka, whom she married. As of 2026, she remains married to Mrka, and the couple often appears together at events. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Ana Bekuta's net worth at $2 Million as of 2026. Her financial standing is built upon a foundation of live performances, including weddings, festivals, and stadium concerts across Serbia and the diaspora. Additional revenue streams include streaming royalties, with her YouTube channels amassing over 196 million views, and sales from merchandise. She retains ownership rights to her extensive catalog, which generates ongoing income independent of new releases. Over the years, she has diversified her assets by investing in real estate, holding properties in Belgrade and Priboj. Her wealth reflects a long and steady career rather than sudden windfalls, aligning with her vocal prioritization of artistic integrity over commercial gain.[edit]

Ana Bekuta has been honored with numerous regional awards throughout her career, primarily from Serbian media outlets and cultural associations. She has won multiple "Best Female Singer" titles from magazines such as Hit and Novosti during the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. In 2018, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Serbian Music Association for her contributions to folk music. She is widely regarded as a living legend in the genre. [edit]