Shai Karam, manager of Dana International, dies at 61

In depth

Shai Karam, manager of Dana International, died at the age of 61. Karam, a media figure and the singer's personal manager for more than three decades, apparently died of a heart attack.

Shai Karam served as Dana International's personal manager and producer from 1998, and later created and appeared with her on television. Over the years he was her confidant and close adviser, and a partner on the path that turned her from a groundbreaking performer in Israel into an international pop icon and a symbol of the gay community.

Karam previously hosted the program "Rosh Echad" and wrote for Yedioth Ahronoth. His brother Alon announced his death on Facebook: "With great sorrow and a broken heart." Details of the funeral and the shiva will be published later.