Today 7th August 2004, it is exactly 20 years ago that Ann Christy died of cancer at the age of 38. With the song Gelukkig zijn she represented Belgium at the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest.
It is however a day with mixed feelings for Ann Christy's widower Marc Hoyois who became Liliane Saint-Pierre's husband. Liliane Saint-Pierre represented Belgium in 1987 with Soldiers of love and celebrates 40 years career today.

On 15th and 22nd September 7 Flemish artists, including Barbara Dex (Belgium 1993), Liliane Saint-Pierre (Belgium 1987) and Kate Ryan, will commemorate the death of Ann Christy, today exactly 20 years ago. The concerts take place in De Zuiderkroon in Antwerp and will be recorded by VRT to be broadcast on Sunday 31st October. The proceeds of the concert go to charity against cancer.

Ann Christy represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1975 with the song Gelukkig zijn but her Eurovision story is longer than that…

Ann Christy tried to represent Belgium for the first time in 1970 but didn't reach the final in Wallonia, organised by RTBF. One year later she was runner-up in Flanders with Dag vreemde man. The winners in 1971 were Nicole & Hugo with Goeiemorgen, morgen. When Nicole became ill a week before the Eurovision Song Contest, Flemish broadcaster BRT decided to replace Nicole & Hugo by Jacques Raymond and Lilly Castel with the known consequences: a 14th place on 18 participants. It was the beginning of a bad relationship between Ann Christy and Belgium's Dutch spoken broadcaster BRT, who had replaced the singers instead of sending runner-up Ann Christy.

After a third attempt in 1973 where she was again defeated by Nicole & Hugo, the fourth try in 1975 was the right one. With Gelukkig zijn she could finally represent Belgium. Ann Christy always doubted about her chances at the Eurovision Song Contest; her song being too repetitive and a too decent Eurovision chanson in the post-Waterloo year.

Ann Christy’s international debut ended in a drama. BRT obliged her to perform half of Gelukkig zijn in English, which was not to Christy’s liking. If she refused she would never ever be allowed anymore to appear on BRT. Gelukkig zijn , in Ann Christy's mind a song about lesbian love, finally reached the 15th place. Ann Christy turned back home very disappointed. Positive reactions from the Flemish people could not comfort her.

The years after many hits followed in Flanders: Ik mis hem zo, Hold on, Walk out in the rain, In rook vergaan, De roos,…, songs that talk about all personal and professional problems Ann Christy had been going through.

The last years of her career Ann Christy constantly suffered from stomach-aches. High medical costs had to be paid and social security stopped supporting her. Way too late, cancer was concluded. Ann Christy died on 7th August 1984 at the age of 38. After her death Nicole & Hugo organised a benefit to pay the medical costs she left behind.

20 years later, Ann Christy still isn't forgotten. Her songs are still played on the radio and covered by others.