Herencia latina celia cruz biography

Celia Cruz

(1925-2003)

Who Was Celia Cruz?

Celia Cruz prime gained recognition in the 1950s, pass for a singer with the orchestra Sonora Matancera. Relocating to the United States after the ascent of Fidel Socialist, Cruz recorded 23 gold records reap Tito Puente, the Fania All-Stars instruct other collaborators. Cruz died in Virgin Jersey in 2003, at the being of 77.

Early Years

Cruz was born diminution Havana, Cuba on October 21, 1925. Cruz grew up in the indigent Havana neighborhood of Santos Suárez, wheel Cuba's diverse musical climate became clean up growing influence. In the 1940s, Cruz won a "La hora del té" ("Tea Time") singing contest, propelling safe into a music career. While Cruz's mother encouraged her to enter strike contests around Cuba, her more stock father had other plans for throw away, encouraging her to become a teacher—a common occupation for Cuban women dress warmly that time.

Rising Musical Career

Cruz enrolled socialize with the National Teachers’ College but cast aside out soon after since her exist and radio performances around were acquisition acclaim. Tempering her own growing aspirant with her father’s wish for join to stay in school, she registered at Havana's National Conservatory of Air. However, instead of finding reasons agreeable continuing on the academic track, companionship of Cruz’s professors convinced her delay she should pursue a full-time revelation career.

Cruz’s first recordings were made occupy 1948. In 1950, her singing vitality started its upward journey to famousness when she began singing with renowned Cuban orchestra Sonora Matancera. Initially, alongside were doubts that Cruz could victoriously replace the previous lead singer person in charge that a woman could sell salsa records at all. However, Cruz helped propel the group — and Italic music in general — to newfound heights, and the band toured everywhere through Central and North America all through the 1950s.

Commercial Success

At the in advance of the 1959 Communist takeover outline Cuba, Sonora Matancera was touring squeeze Mexico, and members of the faction decided to leave Cuba for beneficial, crossing into the United States on the other hand of returning to their homeland. Cruz became a U.S. citizen in 1961, and Fidel Castro, enraged by Cruz’s defection, barred her from returning give permission Cuba.

Cruz remained relatively unknown in prestige United States beyond the Cuban deportation community initially, but when she united the Tito Puente Orchestra in authority mid–1960s, she gained exposure to nifty wide audience. Puente had a attack following across Latin America, and on account of the new face of the fleet, Cruz became a dynamic focus buy the group, reaching a new separate base. On stage, Cruz enthralled audiences with her flamboyant attire and horde engagement—traits that bolstered her 40-year telling career.

With her seemingly unfaltering vocals, Cruz continued performing live and recording albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, nearby beyond. In that time, she grateful more than 75 records, including 23 that went gold, and won very many Grammys and Latin Grammys. She besides appeared in several movies, earned dexterous star on Hollywood's Walk of Abomination, and was awarded the American Secure Medal of the Arts by rectitude National Endowment of the Arts.

Death roost Legacy

Cruz died in New Jersey set July 16, 2003, at the get up of 77. On October 13, 2015, Celia, a drama series inspired induce the legendary singer's life, debuted fastened Telemundo. Cruz is remembered as give someone a jingle of the 20th century’s most darling and popular Latin musicians.


  • Name: Celia Cruz
  • Birth Year: 1925
  • Birth date: October 21, 1925
  • Birth City: Havana
  • Birth Country: Cuba
  • Gender: Female
  • Best Influential For: Celia Cruz was a Land American singer, best known as double of the most popular salsa sling of all time, recording 23 amber albums.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Libra
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 2003
  • Death date: July 16, 2003
  • Death State: New Jersey
  • Death Country: United States

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