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1. Early Life

Sandra Ann Lauer was born on May 18, 1962, in Saarbrücken, West Germany. She loved music from childhood and learned to play guitar and piano. By the time she was a teenager, she was already dreaming of becoming a singer.

2. First Steps into Music

At 13 years old, Sandra sang in local competitions. She released her first single, “Andy mein Freund,” but it didn’t become popular. Still, Sandra didn’t give up and kept working on her singing career.

3. Joining Arabesque

In 1979, Sandra joined the German disco group Arabesque. The trio became very popular in Japan, Russia, and Eastern Europe. Sandra’s voice and stage presence made her stand out, and she stayed with the group until 1984.

4. Starting a Solo Career

After leaving Arabesque, Sandra wanted to try as a solo artist. In 1984, she released a single but didn’t find success right away. However, she met Michael Cretu, a producer who later became her husband and collaborator.

5. Big Break with “Maria Magdalena”

In 1985, Sandra released “(I’ll Never Be) Maria Magdalena”. The song became a huge hit in over 20 countries, reaching number one on many European charts. It made Sandra an international pop star.

6. Other Famous Songs

Sandra followed her breakthrough with more hits like:

• “In the Heat of the Night” (1985)
• “Everlasting Love” (1987)
• “Secret Land” (1988)
• “Hiroshima” (1990)

These songs became classics of 80s pop music.

7. Albums and Tours

Sandra released many successful albums, including The Long Play, Mirrors, and Into a Secret Land. She toured across Europe and Asia, attracting thousands of fans to her concerts.

8. Connection with Enigma

Sandra often worked with Michael Cretu, who was also behind the music project Enigma. She sang on some of Enigma’s famous songs, giving her voice a different, mysterious style.

9. Life After the 90s

In the 1990s and 2000s, Sandra continued to release albums like The Wheel of Time and Stay in Touch. Although she wasn’t as popular as in the 80s, she kept a loyal fan base. She also performed at retro and nostalgia festivals.

10. Legacy and Influence

Sandra sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Her songs are still played on 80s radio stations, and she is remembered as one of the most successful German female singers ever. Today, she enjoys a quieter life but still performs for fans around the world.

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