Hirut Bekele

Born to Lieutenant Bekele Kinfe and Mrs. Tenagnework Mekonnen on October 8, 1942, in Addis Ababa. Died May 12, 2023, while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. Hirut lost her father when she was very young and was raised by her mother and paternal grandmother. Her interest in music started at a young age. Hirut would sing around the house to her closest friends. Hearing her vocal ability, they would encourage her to take music more seriously and consider it a profession. Inspired by these comments, she decided to pursue music professionally. This proved difficult early on as being a musician had many negative connotations in Ethiopia. At the age of 16, Hirut went to an Army Force Orchestra (ምድር ጦር ኦርኬስትራ) for a vocal competition where she was selected on the spot. Her first song (in 1958), Ye-Hare Shererit [የሐር ሸረሪት, Silk spider], was a hit. At that time, the Police Orchestra was looking for a young talented female vocalist, and she happened to be exactly what they were looking for. The Police Orchestra then plotted a secret mission to kidnap and hide her. After three months of an intense search, the Army Force Orchestra gave up on finding her and called off the search. Then, only then, she officially became a member of the Police Orchestra. She stayed with the Police Orchestra for 35 years until her retirement from the entertainment business in 1994. After Hirut isolated herself from the entertainment industry in 1994, she dedicated herself to the Lord as her personal savior. She has devoted her full time and life to spiritual service, traveling all over the country and abroad for more than 28 years, proclaiming the greatness of Jesus Christ to her Christian families and those who have not heard about Christ. Hirut Bekele resided in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was a devoted Christian and a member of Addis Ababa Meserete Kristos Church (መሠረት ክርስቶስ ቤተ ክርስቲያን). When she performed at her congregation, she was usually accompanied by Meserete Kristos church band.