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Who is Conchita Wurst, when did the bearded pop star win Eurovision, is she married?

The Austrian singer triumphed in the annual singing contest back in 2014

Conchita Eurovision

EUROVISION is known for it's weird and wonderful contestants, and Conchita Wurst became one of the most iconic in its history.

But when did she win the Song Contest and what is the HIV positive blackmail plot about? Here's everything you need to know.

Who is Conchita Wurst?

Conchita Wurst is the stage name and persona of Austrian singer Thomas Neuwirth.

Thomas was born November 1988 in Gmunden, Austria, making him 29 years old.

He is a recording artist and drag queen and was part of a short-lived boy band called Jetzt Anders! before creating the Conchita persona in 2011.

 Conchita Wurst is a drag persona of Austrian singer Thomas Neuwirth
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Conchita Wurst is a drag persona of Austrian singer Thomas NeuwirthCredit: Getty - Contributor

Is Conchita Wurst married?

Thomas has created a fictional backstory for Conchita, which includes her marriage to a French burlesque dancer called Jacques Patriaque.

Jacques is a real person and is a friend of Thomas.

Conchita's backstory helps the singer to keep his real-life relationships private.

 Conchita rose to international attention in 2014
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Conchita rose to international attention in 2014Credit: PA

When did Conchita win Eurovision?

Conchita was selected to represent Austria in September 2013 at the 2014 Contest.

In May 2014, Conchita travelled to Copenhagen in Denmark for the competition and her song Rise Like a Phoenix was one of 1o favourites to win among bookmakers.

On May 10, Conchita won the Eurovision Contest with 290 points.

It was the first time Austria had won the Contest since 1966.

What is the HIV positive blackmail plot about?

On 16 April 2018, Conchita revealed in a post on that she has been forced to reveal she is HIV positive after being blackmailed by a former boyfriend.

The bearded performer wrote that she had received medical treatment and that she was feeling healthy and strong.

She wrote that "coming out is better than being outed by a third party".

She added that her reason for going public was "to encourage (others) and make a step against the stigmatisation of people who through their own behaviour or through no fault of their own were infected with HIV."

 Conchita is a big advocate for LGBT rights
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Conchita is a big advocate for LGBT rightsCredit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow

What has Conchita said about her beard?

Conchita's participation in the 2014 Contest led some to nickname her the 'bearded lady'.

But speaking on The Graham Norton Show at the time, she said of her beard: "It's my own truth. It makes me comfortable on stage.

"I love myself and the bearded lady is fun and expresses everything I feel.

"Being a teenager in a small Austrian village was not fabulous."

Eurovision Song Contest: Conchita Wurst - Rise Like a Phoenix
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