Celia Cruz was born on October 21, 1924 in Havana, Cuba as Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso. Was of Afro-Cuban descent. She was married to Pedro Knight. She died on July 16, 2003 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA.
“La India” calls Celia Cruz her “godmother” because Cruz encouraged and supported her singing career.
In her english speeches on stage, she started saying: “my english is not very good…” with her cuban accent.
Has recorded over 70 albums during her 50 year career.
Left Cuba in 1959, when Fidel Castro came into power. She and her band, La Sonora Matancera, toured Mexico for two years before finally moving to the United States where she has since resided.
Died two days after celebrating her 41st wedding anniversary.
Was the third major Cuban salsa star to die in the same week. The other two were Compay Segundo and Tito Duarte.
Has a star on both Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and Miami’s Walk of Fame.
A section of Miami’s famed Calle Ocho (Southwest 8 Street) was renamed Celia Cruz Way in her honor.
Her public wake in Miami brought over 100,000 fans from all over the world to pay their final respects to her.
Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York.
Was also known for her shout of “Azúcar!”, which means “Sugar”.
A monument in front of the city hall in Union City, New Jersey was dedicated in honor after her death. A marker with her name lies between the American and Cuban flags. Union City has one of the largest Cuban populations in the United States outside of the Miami area.
She was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1994 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6240 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
TRIBUTE TO CELIA CRUZ.
http://youtu.be/oGgG3EbwqDc
Pictured on one of five nondenominated USA commemorative stamps honoring Latin Music Legends, issued on 16 March 2011; price on day of issue was 44¢. The other stamps honored Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, Selena, and Carlos Gardel.
She was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2013 for her services to arts and entertainment.
Agencies/Various/Wiki/InternetPhotos/youtube/thecubanhistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor.