Nena

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Nena's career is a masterclass in longevity and reinvention. She is the only German artist to have a song reach the top ten in the US during the 1980s without being originally sung in English. Her induction into the German Rock and Pop Hall of Fame in 2019 solidified her status as a national treasure. The sheer volume of her sales, over 25 million records, places her in a league of her own among German performers. Her ability to transition from a punk/new wave icon to a respected solo artist and actress demonstrates a rare versatility that few musicians achieve.

AwardsNena has received numerous accolades throughout her career, though specific award wins are often overshadowed by her commercial success and enduring popularity. Notable achievements include multiple Echo Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, recognizing her contribution to German music. She also received the Bambi Award in 1984 for her international success with "99 Luftballons" and the Goldene Stimmgabel in 1984 for Best Newcomer. In 2019, she was inducted into the German Rock and Pop Hall of Fame, a testament to her lasting impact on the genre. Additionally, she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Hagen in 2015 for her contributions to culture and society.

Honours & Distinctions

Induction into German Rock and Pop Hall of Fame

German Rock and Pop Hall of Fame·2019

Recognized for her lasting impact on German music and culture.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Hagen·2015

Awarded for contributions to culture and society.

Echo Lifetime Achievement Award

Bundesverband Musikindustrie·2003

Honoring her lifetime contribution to German music.

Rankings & Lists

Top 10 Songs That Defined the Cold War

Billboard·2021

#Included

100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll

VH1·2008

#Included

100 Greatest Songs of All Time

TIME Magazine·2011

Magazine Covers

Rolling Stone (Germany)

1984

The Voice of the New Wave

Vogue (Germany)

2003

Reinvention and Style Evolution

Bravo

1983

Cover Star

Records & Feats

Most Successful German Pop Singer

Sales Record·2026

Sold over 25 million records worldwide, the highest for any German pop artist.

Highest Charting German Song in US

Chart Record·1984

"99 Red Balloons" peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest for a German-language song.