Hailed by Billboard Magazine as “indisputably the best known and most influential female figure in the history of Cuban music,” Celia Cruz ‘s rich legacy lives on a decade after her death.
To celebrate her life and what would have been her 88th birthday, the Google Doodle for October 21, 2013 features the legend illustrated in all her extravagant, colorful glory.
Watch: Celia Cruz – “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” Official Music Video
Renowned internationally as “La Reina de Salsa” (“The Queen of Salsa”), Cruz’s career includes collaborations with Latin music greats such as the late Tito Puente and Fania All-Stars bandleader Johnny Pacheco , whose group she joined after their hit collaboration, Celia y Johnny (1974).
Known for her trademark shout “¡Azúcar!” (“Sugar!”), Cruz recorded over 70 albums, 23 of which went gold.
She won seven Grammy awards including one for Best Tropical Latin Performance for her song with another salsa legend Ray Barretto , “Ritmo en el Corazon” (1989). In 1994, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton .
Listen: Ray Barretto – Ritmo En EL Corazon
On July 16, 2003, Cruz died of brain cancer at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77. She was survived by her husband, Pedro Knight who died February 3, 2007.
After her death, her body was taken to Miami’s Freedom Tower, where more than 200,000 fans paid their final respects.