Minako Honda

About

Remembered for her pop music albums, including Midnight Swing and Wild Cats, and for her performances in Japanese stage productions of such popular musicals as Miss Saigon and The King and I, this popular singer died of acute myelogenous leukemia at the age of thirty-eight.

Before Fame

Her early-career singles include "Suki To Iinasai" ("Tell Me 'I Love You'") and "Aoi Shumatsu" ("Blue Weekend").

Trivia

In the last years of her life, she released several albums that showcased her talent as a classical soprano and included renditions of "Ave Maria" and "Amazing Grace."

Family Life

Though born in Tokyo, she grew up primarily in the city of Asaka in Japan's Saitama Prefecture.

Associated With

She was often compared to American pop star Madonna.