Celia Cruz

Cuban singer, actress, and one of the most influential figures in Latin American music history, born on October 21, 1925, in Havana, Cuba. She began her musical career in 1948, performing on Cuban radio stations. In 1950, she became the lead vocalist of the orchestra La Sonora Matancera, with whom she recorded numerous hits and gained popularity throughout Latin America. Following the Cuban Revolution in 1960, she emigrated to the United States, where she continued her career, collaborating with artists like Tito Puente and members of the Fania All-Stars. Her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence earned her the title "Queen of Salsa." Throughout her career, she released over 70 albums, 23 of which went gold. Her signature phrase "¡Azúcar!" became a symbol of the joy and energy of salsa music. She received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards. In 2024, she became the first Afro-Latina woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter as part of the American Women Quarters Program. She passed away on July 16, 2003, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA.