Gloria Estefan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gloria Estefan
Estefan in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García
Born	(1957-09-01) September 1, 1957 (age 67) Havana, Cuba
Origin	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Latin pop dance-pop tropical
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter actress author businesswoman
Years active	1975–present
Labels	Epic Burgundy Crescent Moon Sony Latin Verve Forecast Sony Masterworks

Gloria María Milagrosa Estefan (born September 1, 1957) is an American singer, actress, and businesswoman. She has won eight Grammy Awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Both VH1 and Billboard have named her one of the Top 100 greatest artists ever. Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide. This makes her one of the best-selling female singers of all time.

Gloria Estefan started her music journey as the lead singer of the Miami Latin Boys. This group later became known as Miami Sound Machine. They became famous around the world with their 1985 hit song "Conga". This song is still one of Estefan's most recognized tunes. The group then released many more popular songs in the 1980s.

In 1987, the group's name changed to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Then, in 1989, Gloria Estefan began her solo career. Her first solo album, Cuts Both Ways, made her a huge star on her own. In March 1990, Gloria Estefan was in a serious bus accident. She had surgery and made a full recovery. The next year, she returned to music with a worldwide tour and a new album, Into the Light.

Her 1993 Spanish-language album, Mi Tierra, won her first Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. This album was also the first to sell a million copies in Spain. Some of Gloria Estefan's other famous solo songs include "Don't Wanna Lose You", "Get On Your Feet", "Coming Out of the Dark", "Turn the Beat Around", "You'll Be Mine (Party Time)", and "Heaven's What I Feel".

Gloria Estefan has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Las Vegas Walk of Fame. In 2017, she received the Kennedy Center Honors for her impact on American culture. She has also won an MTV Video Music Award and the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement. Billboard magazine has listed her as one of the most successful Latin artists ever. She is often called the "Queen of Latin Pop".

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Cuba and Miami

Gloria Estefan was born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García in Havana, Cuba, on September 1, 1957. Her parents were José Fajardo and Gloria García. Her grandparents on her mother's side were immigrants from Spain. Her grandfather, Leonardo García, came to Cuba from Spain. Her grandmother, Consuelo Pérez, was also from Spain. Gloria's mother, Gloria Fajardo, was a talented singer. She even had an offer from Hollywood to dub Shirley Temple's films into Spanish. But her father did not allow her to go.

Gloria Estefan's family moved to Miami in 1959 because of the Cuban Revolution. In 1961, her father, José, was involved in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He was held captive in Cuba for almost two years. After he returned, he joined the U.S. military and fought in the Vietnam War.

After the Vietnam War, Gloria's father became ill. Gloria helped her mother care for him and her younger sister, Rebecca. Her mother worked as a schoolteacher to support the family. When Gloria was 16, her father's illness meant he needed to be hospitalized. In 1974, Gloria became a U.S. citizen.

School Days and College

Gloria Estefan was raised Catholic. She went to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami. There, she was a member of the National Honor Society.

She later attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1979, she earned a degree in psychology. She also studied French. While in college, Gloria worked as a translator at Miami International Airport. She could translate English, Spanish, and French. Because of her language skills, the CIA once considered her for a job. In 1984, she was honored by the Iron Arrow Honor Society. This is the highest honor at the University of Miami.

Music Career Highlights

1975–1988: Miami Sound Machine Takes Off

In 1975, Gloria Estefan and her cousin met Emilio Estefan, Jr. Emilio had a band called the Miami Latin Boys. Gloria and her cousin sang at a wedding where Emilio's band was playing. They impressed the band so much that they were invited to join. The band's name then changed to Miami Sound Machine. Gloria agreed to perform only on weekends so she could focus on her studies at the University of Miami.

In 1977, Miami Sound Machine started recording albums. Their first album was Live Again/Renacer. In 1978, Gloria married Emilio Estefan Jr. The group became very popular in the U.S. and worldwide. They continued to release music.

In 1984, Miami Sound Machine released their first album with Epic/Columbia, Eyes of Innocence. It included the dance hit "Dr. Beat". Their next album, Primitive Love (1985), was even more successful. It had three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Conga", "Words Get in the Way", and "Bad Boy". "Words Get in the Way" showed that the group could sing beautiful ballads as well as upbeat dance songs.

Their album Let It Loose (1987) sold millions of copies. It featured hits like "Anything for You" (which hit No. 1), "1-2-3", and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You". In 1987, Gloria Estefan became the main artist, and the band's name changed to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine.

1989–1992: Solo Success and Comeback

Estefan in February 1990

In 1989, Gloria Estefan officially became a solo artist. She released her best-selling album, Cuts Both Ways. This album included the No. 1 hit "Don't Wanna Lose You" and other popular songs like "Oye Mi Canto" and "Get on Your Feet".

On March 20, 1990, while on tour, Gloria Estefan was seriously injured in a bus crash. She had a fractured spine. She underwent surgery and spent almost a year in physical therapy. She worked hard to recover completely.

In January 1991, Estefan released her album Into the Light. That same month, she performed "Coming Out of the Dark" at the American Music Awards. This was a powerful performance, just ten months after her accident. "Coming Out of the Dark" became a No. 1 hit. The album sold millions of copies.

In 1992, Estefan performed at the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show. She also released Greatest Hits, which included new songs like "Always Tomorrow" and "Go Away".

1993–1995: Latin Roots and Cover Songs

In June 1993, Estefan released her first Spanish-language album, Mi Tierra. This album reached No. 1 on the Latin Albums chart. Songs like "Mi Tierra" and "Con Los Años Que Me Quedan" became No. 1 hits on the "Hot Latin Tracks" chart. The album sold over eight million copies worldwide. It won a Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album.

In September 1993, Estefan released her first Christmas album, Christmas Through Your Eyes. The next year, in October 1994, she released Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. This album featured her favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s. It included popular singles like "Turn the Beat Around" and "Everlasting Love".

In 1995, Estefan released her second Spanish-language album, Abriendo Puertas. This album earned her another Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album. It also had two No. 1 dance hits.

1996–2002: Destiny, Gloria!, and Alma Caribeña

Estefan in 2000

In 1996, Estefan released Destiny. The song "Reach" from this album was the official theme for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Gloria Estefan performed this song at the closing ceremony. She then started her first world tour in five years, called the Evolution World Tour.

On June 2, 1998, she released her album Gloria!. This album mixed disco music with Latin sounds. The single "Oye!" reached No. 1 on dance and Latin charts. In early 1999, Estefan performed again at the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show. She also sang with 'N Sync on the song "Music of My Heart". This song was nominated for an Academy Award.

Alma Caribeña (Caribbean Soul) was released in May 2000. This was her third Spanish-language album, focusing on Caribbean rhythms. It included popular Latin hits like "No Me Dejes De Querer". This album won Gloria Estefan her third Grammy Award in February 2001.

2003–2009: New Music and World Tours

In 2003, Estefan released Unwrapped. She toured Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. to promote it. Songs like "Hoy" and "Tu Fotografía" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Latin chart. In 2005, she performed at Selena ¡VIVE!, a tribute concert for Selena. She also sang "Young Hearts Run Free" for the TV show Desperate Housewives.

In October 2006, Sony released The Essential Gloria Estefan, a collection of her hits. She also released similar albums for other parts of the world.

Estefan released the Spanish album 90 Millas on September 18, 2007. The title refers to the distance between Miami and Cuba. This album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. It won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Album. The song "Pintame de Colores" won for Best Tropical Song.

Estefan performing at the White House in October 2009

In 2008, Estefan appeared on American Idol for a charity episode. She performed "Get on Your Feet". She also started her 90 Millas World Tour, performing in many cities around the world. In 2009, Estefan announced plans for a "farewell tour" in Latin America and South America. She also performed at the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina 2009".

2010–2019: Miss Little Havana and The Standards

In 2010, Gloria Estefan and her husband helped create a charity single called "Somos El Mundo". It was a Spanish version of "We Are the World". All the money raised went to help Haiti after an earthquake. Later that year, Estefan supported Cuba's Las Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) by leading a march.

In 2011, Estefan was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. Her dance album Miss Little Havana was released in September 2011. The first single, "Wepa", became a No. 1 hit on the Latin and Dance/Club charts. Estefan also shared her support for gay rights and gay marriage. She said, "I think everyone should be able to marry who they love."

In 2012, Estefan was a judge on the reality show The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep. She also released a charity single called "Por Un Mundo Mejor". In September 2013, Estefan released The Standards. This album featured classic songs from the Great American Songbook. It reached the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2014, Estefan and her husband were honored for their contributions to music. Estefan also sang on Carlos Santana's album Corazon. In 2015, she released the compilation Soy Mujer, which included her Spanish-language hits.

2020–Present: Brazil305 and New Projects

Estefan in 2022

Gloria Estefan announced she was working on a new album called Brazil305. It features her older songs with Brazilian rhythms and four new songs. The first single, "Cuando Hay Amor", was released in June 2020.

In April 2020, Estefan released "Put on Your Mask". This was a fun version of her song "Get on Your Feet". The lyrics were changed to remind people to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, she wrote and released "We Needed Time" about the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, the Estefan family released a Christmas album called Estefan Family Christmas. It features Gloria, her daughter Emily, and her grandson. In 2023, she was part of the song "Gonna Be You" for the film 80 for Brady. She sang with other famous artists like Dolly Parton and Cyndi Lauper.

Other Work

Stage Musical

Estefan in 2018

A musical called On Your Feet! tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan's lives. It premiered on Broadway on November 5, 2015. The musical shows their journey and music. It also played in the UK in 2019.

Film and TV Appearances

Estefan has appeared in several films. These include Music of the Heart (1999) and For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000). She also had a small role with her husband in Marley & Me (2008). In 2022, she starred in a remake of "Father of the Bride" for HBO Max.

On TV, Estefan appeared on American Idol as a guest mentor. She also guest-starred on the TV series Glee as the mother of a character named Santana Lopez. In 2019, she played a character named Mirtha in the Netflix series One Day at a Time. Since 2020, Estefan has been a co-host of Red Table Talk: The Estefans. This is a talk show on Facebook Watch, and she hosts it with her daughter and niece. In 2021, she voiced the character of Marta Sandoval in the animated film Vivo.

Books

Gloria Estefan has written two children's books. They are The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog (2005) and Noelle's Treasure Tale (2006). Her second book was a bestseller for children's books.

She also wrote a cookbook with her husband called Estefan Kitchen (2008). It has 60 traditional Cuban recipes.

Other Businesses

The Cardozo hotel on Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, Florida

Gloria and Emilio Estefan own several businesses. They have owned Cuban-themed restaurants like Bongos Cuban Café and Larios on the Beach. These restaurants are in places like Miami Beach and Walt Disney World's Disney Springs. They also own two hotels: Costa d'Este and The Cardozo.

In June 2009, the Estefans became the first Hispanic people to own a small part of an NFL team, the Miami Dolphins. In December 2022, Estefan was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

Personal Life

Gloria and Emilio Estefan at the 2014 Miami International Film Festival

Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan started dating in 1976. They married on September 2, 1978. They have a son, Nayib (born 1980), and a daughter, Emily (born 1994). Emily was born after Gloria's bus accident. Doctors had told her she might not be able to have more children. The family lives on Star Island in Miami Beach.

Gloria's daughter, Emily, is also a recording artist. Her son, Nayib, is a filmmaker. In 2012, Nayib's wife had a son, making Gloria Estefan a grandmother.

Awards and Honors

Gloria Estefan has received many awards in addition to her three Grammy Awards. In May 1993, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This is a very high award for naturalized U.S. citizens. She has also won the Hispanic Heritage Award and the 1993 National Music Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year award. She received the American Music Award for Lifetime Achievement.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her husband, Emilio, also has a star next to hers.

Gloria Estefan has received several honorary doctoral degrees in music and law from different universities. She also founded the Gloria Estefan Foundation. This foundation helps with education, health, and cultural development. In 1997, she received the Golden Plate Award.

She has been honored twice by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 1992, she was part of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.

In November 2008, Estefan received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award. This was to honor her twenty-five-year singing career. She was the first female singer to get this award. She also won a Latin Grammy Award for her album 90 Millas and for her song "Píntame De Colores". In April 2010, Estefan and her husband received a star in the "Walk of Stars" in Las Vegas. In 2011, she received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for her charity work.

In November 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Estefan and her husband the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This was for their contributions to American music. In 2017, Estefan became the first Cuban American to be named a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. In 2019, she and her husband received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. They are the first married couple and the first Hispanic people to receive this prize.

In 2022, Estefan was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. In June 2023, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, becoming the first Hispanic person to do so. In 2023, she was honored for her public service at the Commonwealth Awards of Distinguished Service.

Discography

Tours

See also

In Spanish: Gloria Estefan para niños

• List of best-selling Latin music artists
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
• List of refugees
• Miami Sound Machine
• Pop Latino
• Women in Latin music