The Cuban Legend, Celia Cruz Would Have Turned 90 Years Old Today

Celia Cruz is known as one of the most popular salsa performers of all time. The Cuban superstar would have turned 90 today and many continue to idolize her music and remember her as the vibrant and overjoyous woman that always brought a smile to their faces.

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The Afro-Cuban singer from Havana, Cuba died in 2003 after battle with brain cancer. Celia was an amazing performer, always strutting in flamoboyant gowns, super high heels and different colored wigs. Offstage, the queen of salsa was modest and always beaming with joy.

“When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy,” Cruz said during an interview with People Magazine. Her message was always of happiness, even when she was battling breast and brain cancer. Due to her health issues, she had fertility problems and never was able to have any children with her beloved Pedro Knight, whom she was married to for 41 years.

Even though she was never a mother, she was close to her nieces and nephews and often took young artists under her wing. “She was always looking after me…it’s like having another mother,” said Marc Anthony to People.
She recorded over 70 albums and recorded songs with many greats like Marc Anthony and Tito Puentes.   Her final album, Regalo del Alma (Gift from the Soul) was a treasured gift to her fans, but over the span of her career she was nominated for 10 grammys, received a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement Award, and received many more honors. “Celia left more than No. 1 hits, she left a legacy of love,” said long-time friend and producer, Emilio Estefan.

Celia Cruz was an amazing singer and currently you could see her life story on Telemundo in the series, called Celia.

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