Vaçe Zela (Albanian: [va't?? z?la]; 7 April 1939 – 6 February 2014) was an Albanian singer and songwriter.
She was a leading figure in the music industry and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century in the Albanian-speaking world.
Born in Lushnjë and raised in Tirana within Communist Albania, she developed a great interest in music at an early age before embarking on a professional career as a musician in 1962.
An eleven-time winner, she built her reputation as a highly successful musician by winning the first edition of Festivali i Këngës as well as her future victories in the festival.Zela is a recipient of significant awards and decorations.
She was awarded the Merited Artist Order, People's Artist Order and Honor of Nation Order.