Mousafiris was born in 1936 in Ioannina, Greece,[3] although he later moved to Athens, feeling great affinity for both cities.[1] His father was from Kalarrytes, while his mother was from Syrrako.[4] Mousafiris was an ethnic Aromanian,[4][5] with his parents originating from ethnic Aromanian villages. Mousafiris stated on an interview that traditional Aromanian music influenced him and that both of his parents played musical instruments.[4]
Mousafiris died on 11 March 2021 at the age of 84[6] from a cancer he had been fighting against for 6 months. He had been diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly before and managed to recover from it prior to his death, according to a statement from Mousafiris' family.[1][2] He was buried on 13 March in his birthplace, Ioannina.[7]