On stage, Celia was ageless, in life, her good energy and generosity were boundless, her music is and will remain timeless.  — Gloria Estefan

Today, October 21, marks the birth date of Celia Cruz, one of the most famous and influential Cuban-American music performers and artists of the 20^th century. Passionate about music, she earned 23 gold albums and the moniker La Reina de la Salsa.

Admired and loved around the world, the Queen of Salsa was also known for her flamboyant style. She loved to dress up for her audience. She donned colorful wigs, wore sparkling gowns, danced in custom-made shoes that made her look as if she could fly, and always accessorized with a generous smile.

Ruling the charts with her spirited charisma and her unforgettable yell of ¡Azúcar! (Sugar!), Celia Cruz put salsa on the map and changed the sound of Latino music. She died in 2003 at the age of 77, but her influence in salsa music lives on across the world.

 Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso de la Santísima Trinidad
(October 21, 1925 – July 16, 2003)

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Celia!