Known as the „Swedish Caruso”, was born in Stora Tuna, Borlänge, Dalarna, Sweden, in February 1911. He came from a musically gifted family. His father, David Björling, was a trained singer and vocal coach who quickly realized that Jussi and his brothers, Olaf and Gösta, had a natural gift for singing.

Under their father’s guidance, the three brothers formed the Björling Quartet, a vocal ensemble that performed across Sweden and even toured the United States in the 1920s. Their father was a strict teacher, ensuring that Jussi developed a solid vocal technique from an early age.

In 1926, Jussi’s father passed away, leaving the 15-year-old with a promising voice but an uncertain future. However, that same year, he was into the Royal Swedish Academy of Music in Stockholm, where he studied under the renowned baritone John Forsell.

By 1928, he was already performing professionally, and at just 19 years old, he made his operatic debut as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni. From there, he rise to stardom was unstoppable. 

Björling’s international breakthrough came in the 1930s, when he began singing at the Royal Swedish Opera. His stunning voice quickly caught the attention of opera houses across Europe and the United States.

In 1937, he made his Vienna State Opera debut, followed by his La Scala debut in 1939. But it was in 1938, when he first performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, that this name truly became legendary. His performance as Rodolfo in La Bohème was met with overwhelming praise, and he became a regular at the Met for the next decades.

He was particularly known for his performances in Verdi and Puccini operas, bringing a unique blend of power and tenderness to roles like Cavaradossi in Tosca, Manrico in Il Trovatore, and Riccardo in Un Ballo in Maschera. His voice was described as effortless, pure, and deeply emotional, making him one of the greatest tenors of all time.

Beyond the opera stage, he made numerous recordings, many of which remain benchmarks for operatic singing today. His 1953 recording of La Bohème with Victoria de los Ángeles is often considered one of the best ever made.

Despite his enormous success, Jussi Björling’s life was not without struggles. He married Anna-Lisa Berg, a Swedish soprano, in 1935, and they had three children together. 

However, Björling battled alcoholism throughout his life, a problem that often affected his health and performances. There were times when he was unable to perform due to personal difficulties, yet his talent was so extraordinary that audiences forgave his occasional struggles. His alcoholism began to manifest in his early adulthood. He had a reputation for being a highly disciplined artist, but offstage, he struggled with addiction. Despite his success and popularity, alcohol became a crutch for him – helping him cope with the pressures of constant performances, the demanding nature of his career, and the expectations placed on him as a world-renowned tenor. 

His drinking problems, however, were not hidden. He was known for his tendency to overindulge in alcohol, and it affected his relationships, including with his wife.

As Björling’s drinking problem habits become more severe, they began to take a tool on his professional life. His once-impeccable performances started to suffer. There were times when he would arrive at the opera house intoxicated, or when his performances were less than stellar due to his condition. He also struggled to maintain consistent vocal health, as alcohol would often affect his voice.

By the late 1950s, Jussi Björling’s alcoholism had significantly affected his health. He was frequently in poor physical condition, and his voice, while still powerful, was no longer as consistent as it had been in his prime. His drinking, combined with the physical demands of performing, led to exhaustion and weight loss.

Sadly, his health deteriorated rapidly. Jussi Björling passed away on September 9, 1960, at the age of just 49. His death was attributed to heart failure, but it is widely believed that his years of alcohol abuse contributed to his premature death.

While his personal battles were tragic, his voice will forever be remembered as one of the most beautiful and expressive ever to grave the opera stage. His struggles remind us that even the most talented artists face their own demons – and, tragically not all are able to overcome them.