Celia Cruz, full name Ursula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso, was a Cuban American singer who ruled for decades as the “Queen of Salsa Music,” captivating audiences with her wide-ranging lyrical voice and rhythmically appealing style.
Cruz grew raised in Santos Suárez, a Havana district, in a 14-member extended family. She went to the Normal School for Teachers in Havana after high school, planning to become a literary teacher. Cruz abandoned her studies to pursue a singing career after winning a talent event in which she rendered the tango tune “Nostalgia” in a bolero tempo.
What are 3 important facts about Celia Cruz?
Celia Cruz was a Cuban singer who is largely regarded as one of Latin music’s most influential singers. Here are three key facts about her:
- Celia Cruz was born on October 21, 1925, in Havana, Cuba. She began her musical career as a member of the group Sonora Matancera in the 1940s.
- Celia Cruz rose to international prominence as a major performer of salsa music in the 1950s and 1960s. Throughout her career, she released over 70 albums and received various honors.
- Celia Cruz was well-known for her powerful voice, exuberant stage presence, and music with Afro-Cuban themes. She was also a passionate champion for social justice, using her position to bring attention to topics such as poverty and human rights violations. Celia Cruz died on July 16, 2003, at the age of 77, in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
