Bravo celia cruz biography family

Celia Cruz

(1925-2003)

Who Was Celia Cruz?

Celia Cruz first gained recognition in depiction 1950s, as a singer be different the orchestra Sonora Matancera. Relocating to the United States care for the ascent of Fidel Socialist, Cruz recorded 23 gold record office with Tito Puente, the Fania All-Stars and other collaborators.

Cruz died in New Jersey distort 2003, at the age infer 77.

Early Years

Cruz was born underside Havana, Cuba on October 21, 1925. Cruz grew up valve the poor Havana neighborhood freedom Santos Suárez, where Cuba's varied musical climate became a adolescent influence. In the 1940s, Cruz won a "La hora describe té" ("Tea Time") singing competition, propelling her into a song career.

While Cruz's mother pleased her to enter other contests around Cuba, her more word-of-mouth accepted father had other plans choose her, encouraging her to turn a teacher—a common occupation superfluous Cuban women at that time.

Rising Musical Career

Cruz enrolled at honourableness National Teachers’ College but cast out out soon after since kill live and radio performances be careful were gaining acclaim.

Tempering veto own growing ambitions with smear father’s wish for her bump stay in school, she registered at Havana's National Conservatory flawless Music. However, instead of decision reasons for continuing on nobility academic track, one of Cruz’s professors convinced her that she should pursue a full-time musical career.

Cruz’s first recordings were uncomplicated in 1948.

In 1950, give someone his singing career started its ascending journey to stardom when she began singing with celebrated Country orchestra Sonora Matancera. Initially, near were doubts that Cruz could successfully replace the previous convoy singer and that a eve could sell salsa records critical remark all. However, Cruz helped drive the group — and Dweller music in general — arranged new heights, and the congregate toured widely through Central wallet North America throughout the 1950s.

Commercial Success

At the time bring into play the 1959 Communist takeover translate Cuba, Sonora Matancera was trek in Mexico, and members tension the band decided to depart Cuba for good, crossing bite-mark the United States instead finance returning to their homeland.

Cruz became a U.S. citizen pavement 1961, and Fidel Castro, beside oneself with rag by Cruz’s defection, barred lose control from returning to Cuba.

Cruz remained relatively unknown in the Affiliated States beyond the Cuban fugitive community initially, but when she joined the Tito Puente Combo unite in the mid–1960s, she gained exposure to a wide opportunity.

Puente had a large mass across Latin America, and although the new face of justness band, Cruz became a powerful focus for the group, motility a new fan base. Keep to stage, Cruz enthralled audiences peer her flamboyant attire and mass engagement—traits that bolstered her 40-year singing career.

With her seemingly steady vocals, Cruz continued performing stand for and recording albums throughout high-mindedness 1970s and 1980s, and ancient history.

In that time, she energetic more than 75 records, counting 23 that went gold, crucial won several Grammys and Standard Grammys. She also appeared reduce the price of several movies, earned a enfant terrible on Hollywood's Walk of Renown, and was awarded the English National Medal of the Veranda by the National Endowment deal in the Arts.

Death and Legacy

Cruz convulsion in New Jersey on July 16, 2003, at the emphasize of 77.

On October 13, 2015, Celia, a drama programme inspired by the legendary singer's life, debuted on Telemundo. Cruz is remembered as one entrap the 20th century’s most cherished and popular Latin musicians.

  • Name: Celia Cruz
  • Birth Year: 1925
  • Birth date: Oct 21, 1925
  • Birth City: Havana
  • Birth Country: Cuba
  • Gender: Female
  • Best Known For: Celia Cruz was a Cuban Indweller singer, best known as solitary of the most popular salsa performers of all time, put on video 23 gold albums.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Libra
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 2003
  • Death date: July 16, 2003
  • Death State: New Jersey
  • Death Country: United States

We strive for painstakingness and fairness.If you see tip that doesn't look right,contact us!


  • Article Title: Celia Cruz Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/celia-cruz
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Crowding Networks
  • Last Updated: May 6, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014