Charo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charo
Charo at the 2013 Alma Awards
Born	Maria Rosario Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza Murcia, Region of Murcia, Spain
Occupation	Actress singer classical guitarist comedian
Years active	1963–present
Spouse(s)	Xavier Cugat ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1978)​ Kjell Rasten ​ ​ (m. 1978; died 2019)​
Children	1

María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, known as Charo, is a famous Spanish-born entertainer. She is an actress, singer, comedian, and amazing flamenco guitarist. Charo became very well-known in the 1960s. She appeared on American TV shows and in movies.

Charo started playing classical guitar when she was nine years old. She even trained with a very famous guitarist named Andrés Segovia. In 1966, she moved to the United States. She quickly became a popular face on American television. You might have seen her on shows like Laugh-In, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat. She is famous for her high energy and her fun catchphrase "cuchi-cuchi". She often makes jokes about herself and her Spanish accent.

As a musician, Charo has recorded music for over 50 years. In the 1970s, she released popular disco songs. Her album Guitar Passion (1994) won an award for Best Female Pop Album. Billboard Magazine also named it the Best Female Latin Pop Album.

Early Life in Spain

Charo was born in Murcia, Spain. Her Spanish passport shows her full name as María del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza.

Charo has shared stories about her childhood. She said she went to a convent school until she was 15. A nun there told her she should be in show business. She also said her grandmother hired a music teacher for her guitar lessons. This teacher was the first man to enter the convent. Charo has mentioned that she finished school with high honors at age 16.

The bandleader Xavier Cugat met Charo in Spain in 1964. They got married on August 7, 1966. Their wedding was the first one held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Charo's Amazing Career

Charo was seen everywhere on TV during the 1970s. She appeared ten times on The Love Boat. She was also a guest on many variety and talk shows. These included Donny & Marie and The Mike Douglas Show. She even guest-hosted The Mike Douglas Show at least once.

In 1976, Charo had a TV show pilot called Charo and the Sergeant. It was a comedy about her character working as a dancer. Her Marine Corps husband found out, which caused funny situations. These episodes were shown to American soldiers overseas.

Charo performing in 2004

Charo is also a very talented guitarist. She was named Best Flamenco Guitarist twice by Guitar Player Magazine readers.

In 2008, Charo released a new dance song called "España Cañi". It was very popular. In 2017, Charo joined the TV show Dancing with the Stars. She danced with professional dancer Keo Motsepe. They finished in 11th place.

Charo's Family Life

In 1977, Charo became a citizen of the United States. She divorced Xavier Cugat in 1978.

On August 11, 1978, she married her second husband, Kjell Rasten. He became her manager. They had one son named Shel Rasten, born in 1981. Shel is a drummer for a heavy metal band called Treazen. He is also an actor and producer.

Charo and Kjell moved to Hawaii for a while. Later, they moved back to Beverly Hills, California. Kjell Rasten passed away in 2019 at age 78.

Music Albums

• Cuchi-Cuchi (1977)
• Olé Olé (1978)
• Bailando con Charo (Dancing with Charo, 1981)
• Guitar Passion (1994)
• Gusto (Pleasure, 1997)
• Charo and Guitar (2005)

Popular Songs

• 1977: "Dance a Little Bit Closer"
• 1978: "Mamacita, ¿dónde está Santa Claus?" ("Mommy, Where's Santa Claus?")
• 1978: "Olé Olé"
• 2008: "España Cañi"

Movies Charo Was In

TV Shows Charo Appeared On

See also

In Spanish: Charo (cantante) para niños

• List of Spanish Americans
• Mononymous person