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Cuban-American Star Broke Global Barriers
10 Feb
Summary
- Cuban-American Gloria Estefan achieved global success with Latino-pop music.
- She performed the first Spanish-language song at the Grammy Awards.
- Estefan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for cultural promotion.
Cuban-American artist Gloria Estefan, a pioneer in Latino-pop, achieved remarkable crossover success beginning with her band Miami Sound Machine's 1985 hit "Conga." Her 1993 album, "Mi Tierra," marked a significant milestone, selling over 200,000 copies in the UK alone and reaching number 11 on the album charts.
Estefan made history in 1994 by performing the first-ever Spanish-language song at the Grammy Awards. Her dedication to her cultural roots was further recognized with a Latin Grammy and a Grammy Award in 2001 for Best Latin Album for "Alma Caribeña."
Beyond her own success, Estefan and her husband Emilio championed other Latino artists, including superstars Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. They also mentored Shakira, encouraging a more crossover pop sound that led to her international hit album "Laundry Service."
In 2015, Gloria and Emilio Estefan were honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama, who recognized their role in promoting Cuban-American heritage and inspiring fans worldwide.
