Home / Arts and Entertainment / ABBA's Hit Funds Child Protection for 45 Years
ABBA's Hit Funds Child Protection for 45 Years
26 Oct
Summary
- ABBA's 'Chiquitita' has generated over $5 million for UNICEF.
- Royalties from the 1979 song continue to fund child protection.
- The initiative began at a 1979 UNICEF benefit concert.
A 1979 ABBA hit song, 'Chiquitita,' has generated over US$5 million for UNICEF by April 2024, supporting child protection programs for 45 years. Royalties from the song, purchased or streamed by listeners, provide sustained funding for UNICEF's work. The song's charitable legacy started on January 9, 1979, at The Music for UNICEF Concert in New York, an event marking the International Year of the Child. ABBA pledged the song's future revenues to the UN agency.
This funding has specifically aided child psychology and protection services, notably in Guatemala since 2014, focusing on girls' rights. Services include home visits, therapy, and coordination with local facilities, reaching children in remote Mayan communities. In 2023 alone, royalties helped assist 1,000 abuse survivors and provided preventative support to over 10,000 individuals.
ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus expressed surprise at the song's long-term impact, calling it 'the best legacy anyone could wish for.' The group expanded its UNICEF support in 2021 with royalties from 'Little Things.' The enduring success of 'Chiquitita' exemplifies how music can provide ongoing charitable funding, with its $5 million contribution symbolizing continued support for children's safety and well-being.
