Gloria Estefan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gloria Estefan
Estefan in 2017
Born	Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García (1957-09-01) September 1, 1957 (age 68) Havana, Cuba
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress author businesswoman
Years active	1975–present
Spouse(s)	Emilio Estefan ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	2, including Emily
Relatives	Lili Estefan (niece)
Musical career
Origin	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Latin pop dance-pop tropical
Labels	Epic Burgundy Crescent Moon Sony Latin Verve Forecast Sony Masterworks

Gloria María Milagrosa Estefan (born September 1, 1957) is a Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She is known as the "Queen of Latin Pop" and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 100 million records worldwide.

Estefan is a winner of eight Grammy Awards and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest honors for a civilian in the United States. She started her career as the lead singer of the band Miami Sound Machine. The band became famous around the world with their 1985 hit song "Conga".

As a solo artist, Estefan has had many hit songs, including "Don't Wanna Lose You", "Get On Your Feet", and "Coming Out of the Dark". She is celebrated for her powerful voice and for bringing Latin music to a global audience.

Early Life and Family

Gloria Estefan was born in Havana, Cuba. Her parents were José Fajardo and Gloria García. Her family had to leave Cuba when she was a young child, and they moved to Miami, Florida, in 1959.

Her father, José, was a soldier. He was captured during a conflict in Cuba and was a prisoner for almost two years. He later joined the United States military and served in the Vietnam War. After the war, he became very ill with multiple sclerosis. Gloria helped her mother care for him and her younger sister, Rebecca.

Gloria became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1974. She attended the University of Miami and graduated in 1979 with a degree in psychology and a minor in French. Because she could speak English, Spanish, and French, she worked as a translator at Miami International Airport while she was in college.

Music Career

Miami Sound Machine

In 1975, Gloria met Emilio Estefan, Jr. He had a band called the Miami Latin Boys. Gloria and her cousin were invited to sing with the band, which was later renamed Miami Sound Machine. At first, Gloria only performed on weekends so she could focus on her college studies.

The band became very popular, especially after signing with a major record label. Their 1985 album, Primitive Love, had three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

• "Conga"
• "Words Get in the Way"
• "Bad Boy"

Their next album, Let It Loose (1987), was even more successful. It sold millions of copies and included hit songs like "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" and "Anything for You". The band's name was changed to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine to show her growing importance as the lead singer.

Becoming a Solo Star

Estefan in February 1990

In 1989, Gloria Estefan released her first album as a solo artist, Cuts Both Ways. It was a huge success and included the number-one hit song "Don't Wanna Lose You". She was now one of the biggest music stars in the world.

A Difficult Challenge and Comeback

On March 20, 1990, Gloria's life changed forever. While on tour, a large truck crashed into her tour bus during a snowstorm. She was seriously injured and broke her back. Doctors were worried she might not walk again.

She had a major surgery where doctors placed two titanium rods in her spine to hold it together. After the surgery, she spent almost a year in intense physical therapy. She showed incredible strength and determination.

Just ten months after the accident, she made a triumphant return to the stage at the American Music Awards. She performed her new song, "Coming Out of the Dark", which was about her recovery. The song became a number-one hit, and her comeback album, Into the Light, was very successful.

Success in the 1990s

Throughout the 1990s, Gloria continued to release hit albums. In 1993, she released Mi Tierra, her first Spanish-language album. It was a celebration of her Cuban roots and won a Grammy Award. The album was a massive success, selling over eight million copies worldwide.

She also released a Christmas album and a cover album called Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, where she sang her favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s. In 1996, she performed her song "Reach" at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Later Career

Estefan in 2000

Gloria Estefan has continued to make music, exploring different styles and sounds. Her 2000 album, Alma Caribeña, focused on Caribbean rhythms and won her another Grammy Award. In 2007, she released 90 Millas, another Spanish-language album that paid tribute to Cuban music.

In recent years, she has released albums like The Standards (2013), where she sang classic American songs, and Brazil305 (2020), which blended her hits with Brazilian rhythms. She also released a Christmas album with her family in 2022.

Beyond Music

Stage, Film, and Television

Estefan in 2018

Gloria's life story was turned into a Broadway musical called On Your Feet!. The show tells the story of her and Emilio's life and career, featuring their famous songs. It opened in 2015 and has been performed all over the world.

She has also acted in movies and television shows. She appeared in the movie Music of the Heart (1999) and was a guest star on the TV show Glee. In 2021, she was the voice of Marta in the animated movie Vivo.

Books and Business

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

Gloria is the author of two children's books: The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog and Noelle's Treasure Tale. She also wrote a cookbook with her husband called Estefan Kitchen, which features traditional Cuban recipes.

Together, Gloria and Emilio are successful business owners. They have owned several restaurants, including Bongos Cuban Café and Larios on the Beach. They also own hotels in Florida. In 2009, they became part-owners of the Miami Dolphins NFL team.

Personal Life

Gloria and Emilio Estefan at the 2014 Miami International Film Festival

Gloria married Emilio Estefan, the leader of Miami Sound Machine, on September 2, 1978. They have two children: a son, Nayib (born in 1980), and a daughter, Emily (born in 1994). Emily is also a singer and musician. The family lives on Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida. Gloria is also a grandmother.

Awards and Honors

Gloria Estefan has received many awards for her contributions to music and culture. Some of her most important honors include:

• Eight Grammy Awards
• A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
• The Ellis Island Medal of Honor
• The Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2015
• The Kennedy Center Honors in 2017 for her influence on American culture
• The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which she received with her husband Emilio in 2019
• Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023, the first Hispanic woman to receive this honor

Discography

Tours

Filmography

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
• Miami Sound Machine
• Pop Latino
• Women in Latin music