Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

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September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba

 

Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, and actress who has become one of the most successful Latin music artists of all time. Born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García on September 1, 1957, in Havana, Cuba, she grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her father, José Fajardo, was a musician and bandleader, and her mother, Gloria García, was a schoolteacher. In 1960, when Gloria was just three years old, her family fled Cuba and settled in Miami, Florida. There, she attended Catholic school and continued to sing in church choirs and local talent shows. In 1975, she graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in psychology and worked as a translator for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. However, music was always her true passion, and in 1977, she joined the Miami Sound Machine, a local band led by her future husband, Emilio Estefan. The band played a mix of Latin, disco, and pop music and quickly gained a following in the Miami area. In 1980, they released their first album, "Live Again/Renacer," which was a commercial failure. Undeterred, Gloria and Emilio continued to work on their music, and in 1984, they released their breakthrough album, "Eyes of Innocence." The album included the hit single "Dr. Beat," which became a dance club favorite and helped the band gain national attention. They followed up with the album "Primitive Love" in 1985, which included the hit singles "Conga" and "Bad Boy." The album was a huge success, selling over five million copies and earning the band their first Grammy nomination. In 1987, Gloria released her first solo album, "Let It Loose," which included the hit singles "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" and "Can't Stay Away from You." The album was a commercial and critical success, selling over ten million copies worldwide and earning Gloria her first Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. Over the next few years, Gloria continued to release successful albums and singles, including "Cuts Both Ways" (1989), "Into the Light" (1991), and "Mi Tierra" (1993). "Mi Tierra" was a tribute to Gloria's Cuban roots and included traditional Latin music styles such as salsa, merengue, and bolero. The album was a critical and commercial success, selling over three million copies and earning Gloria her second Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. In 1995, Gloria suffered a devastating setback when she was involved in a bus accident while on tour. She suffered a broken vertebra in her back and was told she might never walk again. However, after months of rehabilitation, she was able to make a full recovery and returned to the stage in 1996. In 1998, Gloria released the album "gloria!" which included the hit single "Oye!" The album was a commercial success, selling over two million copies worldwide, and earned Gloria her third Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. In 2000, Gloria released the album "Alma Caribeña" which included a mix of traditional Latin music styles and modern pop. The album was a critical and commercial success, selling over one million copies and earning Gloria her fourth Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. In addition to her music career, Gloria has also acted in several films and television shows, including "Music of the Heart" (1999) and "Glee" (2010). She has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Gloria Estefan Foundation, which supports education, health, and cultural initiatives.

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