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Maarja-Liis Ilus

Maarja-Liis Ilus sang at two Eurovision Song Contests, in 1996 and 1997, for Estonia. The best result was 5th place in 1996, with “Kaelakee hääl”.

Estonia

1996 · 1997

who
Estonian singer
born
24 December 1980, Tallinn
contests
1996, 1997
best result
5th, 1996
music
pop
active
since 1984
sang for
Estonia

Biography

Maarja-Liis Ilus, who also performs as Maarja, is an Estonian pop musician and presenter who has sung for Estonia twice. “Kaelakee hääl”, with Ivo Linna, finished fifth in Oslo in 1996, the country’s best result up to then; “Keelatud maa” finished eighth in Dublin in 1997.

Written by ESC Predictions, 8 October 2026. Sources: Wikipedia, “Maarja-Liis Ilus”.

At Eurovision

Two songs, oldest first, and what became of each.

  1. 1996 Oslo

    Estonia

    “Kaelakee hääl”

    5th of 23 Finished 5th of 23, with 94 points.

    Billed as
    Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna
    With
    Ivo Linna
    Sung in
    Estonian
    Written by
    Priit Pajusaar, Kaari Sillamaa
    Conductor
    Tarmo Leinatamm
    Running order
    11th of 23
    Age on the night
    15
    Won that year
    Ireland: Eimear Quinn, “The Voice”

    The story of Eurovision 1996: Germany misses the cut, and Holland becomes Poland

  2. 1997 Dublin

    Estonia

    “Keelatud maa”

    8th of 25 Finished 8th of 25, with 82 points.

    Sung in
    Estonian
    Written by
    Harmo Kallaste, Kaari Sillamaa
    Conductor
    Tarmo Leinatamm
    Running order
    13th of 25
    Age on the night
    16
    Won that year
    United Kingdom: Katrina and the Waves, “Love Shine a Light”

    The story of Eurovision 1997: The public gets a vote, and the orchestra starts to leave

Results as published by the European Broadcasting Union. Biographical details from Wikidata. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll fix it.