Popular Greek folk singer, song-writer and illustrator Arleta passed away at the hospital of Evangelismos on Tuesday, following a stroke. She was 72.

Arleta, whose real name was Ariadne Nicoleta Tsapra, was born in Athens on March 3, 1945. She studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts but switched to music soon after, eventually building a career that spanned from the 1960s to the present.

The singer was quickly associated with the Greek "new wave" and released her first album 'A hat with songs' in 1960. Her first great successes came with songs whose music was written by Lakis Papadopoulos and lyrics by Marianina Kriezi. She worked with many well-known Greek composers such as Giannis Spanos, Manos Hatzidakis and Mikis Theodorakis and produced hits such as 'Serenata', 'Tsai Yasemiou', 'Bar to Navagio' and 'To Tragoudi tis Erimou'.

Apart from singing and song-writing, Arleta also designed the covers of music albums and books, and held two personal painting exhibitions in Tzia and Athens.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras noted the passing of the singer in a message on Twitter. "Today we bid farewell to a great artist, a wonderful person. Your songs will always accompany us. Goodbye Arleta." 
His comment was echoed by Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou who expressed her condolences. "Arleta was a beacon in contemporary Greek singing. An artist of unique tenderness, a songwriter who touched the audience with her sensitive lyrics and her warm voice," she said. 
New Democracy's press office chief Makarios Lazaridis said she sung about "our hopes and our dreams". "She sung for the children, our hopes and our dreams. And if she left for the tour of the world, Arleta will always remain in our hearts,? he tweeted.