- Born
- Died
- Birth nameÚrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso
- Nicknames
- The Queen of Salsa Music
- La Guarachera del Mundo
- The Queen of Latin Music
- Celia Cruz was born on October 21, 1925 in Havana, Cuba. She was a music artist and actress, known for Carlito's Way (1993), Amores Perros (2000) and Tower Heist (2011). She was married to Pedro Knight. She died on July 16, 2003 in Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA.
- SpousePedro Knight(July 14, 1962 - July 16, 2003) (her death)
- ChildrenNo Children
- Brightly colored costumes and wigs
- Catchphrase: "¡Azúcar!"
- In her english speeches on stage, she started saying: "my english is not very good..." with her cuban accent.
- Her shoes
- Her powerful, singing contralto voice.
- Died two days after celebrating her 41st wedding anniversary.
- Pictured on one of five nondenominated USA commemorative stamps honoring Latin Music Legends, issued on 16 March 2011; price on day of issue was 44¢. The other stamps honored Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, Selena, and Carlos Gardel.
- Recorded over 70 albums during her 50-year career.
- Left Cuba in 1959 when Fidel Castro came into power. She and her band, La Sonora Matancera, toured Mexico for two years before finally moving to the United States, where she has since resided.
- A section of Miami's famed Calle Ocho (Southwest 8 Street) was renamed Celia Cruz Way in her honor.
- [interview with the "New York Times", on he reasons reasons for becoming the lead singer of the famous Salsa band, La Sonora Matancera] I wanted to be a mother, a teacher and a housewife. But when I began to sing with La Sonora Matancera, I thought, "This is my chance, and I'm going to do it."
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