Life Of Celia Cruz example essay topic

728 words
Celia Cruz the Queen of Salsa well known all over the world for her outstanding performances and her message of joy to life. She was an artist with over six decades of success making her an inspiration to the Latin community as well as the rest of the world. CELIA CRUZ LIFE Celia Cruz was born in a humble neighborhood of Santo Suarez in Havana, Cuba on October 21, 1924. She was one of 14 children.

One of her chores was to sing to her youngest sibling to sleep. Her first appearance as a child earned her a pair of shoes from a tourist that was watching. As a teenager she performed in many talent shows at school and community gatherings. Also her aunt took her cousin and her to nightclubs and cabarets. Yet, while her family supported her talent, her father was insisting for Celia to continuing her school so she could become a teacher.

Following her heart, she continued pursuing her dreams; winning fancy cakes and more opportunities to showed her talent. Her big break was in 1950 when La Sonora Matancera was looking for a new leading singer, because her previous singer Mirth a Silva decided to quit to returned to her native Puerto Rico. Even though Celia Cruz was rough around the edges, they decided to give her a break. A lot of people call local radio station complaining about Cruz, also the executive in the industry did not believe that a female singer could sell albums. She proved them wrong. Celia's perseverance overcame all her obstacles and she became a permanent leading singer of La Sonora Matancera, traveling all over Latin America and Mexico.

Celia Cruz was a member of La Sonora for 15 years, and then in July 15, 1960, she decided to migrate to United State to pursue her singing career. It only took her 1-year (1961) to become legal citizen of the United States. While she was working at the Hollywood Palladium, Celia fell in love with Mr. Pedro Knight. After one year of been together they decided to get married in 1962. By 1965 Mr. Knight decided to quit his own career to become Celia's manager, demonstrating that you can manage a family and career at the same time. CELIA CRUZ LIFE Celia's passion was to sing, but she also obtained three honorary doctoral degrees from Yale University, Florida International University and University of Miami.

She also appeared in about 10 movies. Cruz was honored with star and street sections and received many distinctions and awards. For more than 20 years she was a very involved with the annual telethon put on by La Liga contra el Cancer, which benefits local cancer patients. Even though she was a famous her ultimate wish was to visit her mother grave in her native Cuba, however she was not allowed to enter Cuba because she was considered a traitor in the government's eyes. Her health became declining late last year when she was diagnosed with a brain cancer. She died on July 16, 2003 at the age of 78, at her home in New Jersey with her husband by her side.

The life of Celia Cruz was one to admire showing the world that no matter what the obstacles may be you can overcome them with determination. She was a very kind person that gave back hope and inspired many singers, as well as others of different industries. Cruz demonstrated to the world that anything you set your mind to be possible with effort and drive. She battled with brain cancer for the last several months of her life; yet if you saw her on her last performance it could have well been her first, full of life charisma, enthusiasm and spice.

Sometimes life can be difficult and as a single mother with a full time job and now also a part time student, it seems harder then ever, but with that same spirit determination and drive that Celia had until the end. I will also succeed in all my goals. "Azz caa" (sugar), as she would say, that is the secret of an inspiration of every Latin American..