Date of Birth: October 21, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: July 16, 2003
Biography
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, known globally as Celia Cruz, was born on October 21, 1925, in Havana, Cuba. She was a celebrated Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular salsa performers of all time. Her career began in the 1940s, and she quickly rose to fame as the lead singer of the orchestra Sonora Matancera. In the 1960s, she moved to the United States and continued to build her legacy. Cruz was known for her powerful voice, charismatic stage presence, and her signature cry of “¡Azúcar!” which became her trademark. Over her career, she recorded over 70 albums, winning numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards and four Latin Grammy Awards. She was often referred to as the “Queen of Salsa” and was instrumental in popularizing Latin music around the world. Celia Cruz passed away on July 16, 2003, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, due to complications from brain cancer. Her influence on the music industry remains profound, and she is remembered as a trailblazing artist who broke barriers and brought joy to millions through her music.
5 Interesting Facts about Celia Cruz
1. Celia Cruz was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1994.
2. She recorded 23 gold albums, a record for a female artist in Latin music.
3. Cruz was posthumously honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
4. Her flamboyant costumes and wigs were as famous as her music, making her a fashion icon in the Latin music scene.
5. The phrase “¡Azúcar!” (Sugar!) became her signature exclamation and was a symbol of her vivacious personality and heritage.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Celia Cruz
1. “My English is not very good-looking.”
2. “When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don’t want them thinking about when there’s going to be another war.”
3. “I always clean my jewelry with vodka. I let it soak overnight and in the morning, it’s clean and sparkly.”
4. “Singing is my life. It has always been my life. It will always be my life.”
5. “I have fulfilled my father’s wish to be a teacher as, through my music, I teach generations of people.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Celia Cruz’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $10 million.
Children
Celia Cruz did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Celia Cruz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celia_Cruz
2. [Biography – Celia Cruz](https://www.biography.com/musician/celia-cruz
3. [Grammy – Celia Cruz](https://www.grammy.com/artists/celia-cruz/14062
4. [National Endowment for the Arts – Celia Cruz](https://www.arts.gov/honors/medals/celia-cruz
5. [Smithsonian – Celia Cruz](https://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/celia-cruz
