Conchita Wurst
As the bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, she won Eurovision with a soaring anthem, becoming a global symbol of tolerance and self-belief.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Austrian singer and drag queen·Birthday: November 6·Millennials
Biography
Thomas Neuwirth's creation, Conchita Wurst, is more than a stage persona; it's a statement. Emerging from the Austrian reality TV circuit, Neuwirth developed Conchita—a glamorous, unapologetic woman with a full beard—as a deliberate challenge to narrow perceptions of beauty and identity. The act was a potent mix of cabaret, pop, and political theater. In 2014, she entered the Eurovision Song Contest, a platform often seen as kitschy, with the dramatic ballad 'Rise Like a Phoenix.' Her powerful vocal performance and undeniable charisma won the competition, but the victory reverberated far beyond points. For many across Europe and the world, Conchita became an instant icon for LGBTQ+ rights and personal freedom, her image sparking both adoration and controversy in equal measure. She leveraged that platform into a sustained music and fashion career, proving that her moment was not a novelty but the launch of a durable, impactful artist.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Conchita was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Conchita Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Conchita's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 for Austria with the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix'.
- Her Eurovision victory sparked international dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights and tolerance.
- Received the Bambi Award in Germany for 'Integration' for her impact on social discourse.
- Performed at major events including the Life Ball and the Eurovision grand final as an interval act.
Did You Know?
The surname 'Wurst' is German for 'sausage', chosen as a humorous nod to Austrian culture and to imply not taking things too seriously.
Before Conchita, Neuwirth was part of a boy band called Jetzt Anders!.
She designed a limited-edition chocolate bar for a Viennese chocolatier, with proceeds supporting an LGBTQ+ charity.
She was a guest judge on the German version of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'.
“We are unity, and we are unstoppable. Be the best you can be, and do it with passion.”
