9 Fabulous Moments in The Life of Celia Cruz
Born Ursula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, Celia Cruz is a household name
Photo: Wikimedia/Ibrahim Arce (Narcy Studios photographer), most likely
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A Legend is Born
Celia Cruz was born October 21, 1925, in Havana, Cuba. She is the daughter of Simon Cruz and Catalina Alfonso. Celia was one of four siblings, but grew up with 14 total children, that consisted of siblings, cousins and extended family.
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Wins “La Hora del Te” Singing Contest
In the 1940s, Celia won a singing contest thrown by a Cuban radio station. This led to her singing professionally on the island.
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Joined La Sonora Mantacera
During the 1950s, Celia Cruz replaced Myrta Silva as the lead singer of the Afro-Cuban band La Sonora Mantacera. She stayed with the group for 15 years, during which she became famous, and met her husband, Pedro Knight (the band’s lead trumpeter and later her musical director and manager).
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Married Her Soulmate Pedro Knight
Celia married her cabecita de algodon (little head of cotton, as she called her white-haired husband) Pedro Knight on July 14, 1962 in New York. The lovebirds were married for 41 years, until her death in 2003.
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Celia y Johnny/Celia & Johnny is Released
History was made with the 1974 release of Celia’s album with Johnny Pacheco, entitled Celia y Johnny/Celia & Johnny. It was a successful album, which was chosen for preservation in the Library of Congress in 2013.
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First Grammy
In 1989, Celia Cruz won her first Grammy Award. It was for Best Tropical Latin Performance, for her album Ritmo En El Corazon, recorded with Ray Barretto.
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A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Celia received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 17, 1987. It is located at 6240 Hollywood Blvd.
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Receives National Medal of Arts
The National Medal of Arts is the “highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government…” for “outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.” President Bill Clinton presented Celia Cruz with the medal in 1994.
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Honorary Doctorates
Celia Cruz was honored with honorary doctorates at three different universities. She received an honorary doctorate degree of music from Yale in 1989, a doctorate honoris causa from Florida International University in 1992, and a doctorate honoris causa in music from the University of Miami in 1999.
