azucar!!!!!!!!!!!
that was the famous battle cry of the queen of salsa, mrs. celia cruz. with it, she referenced the biggest import of her native cuba and the horrific history of the enslaved who were forced to work the sugarcane fields. salsa is a male dominated genre and celia was the first to break through the proverbial 'glass ceiling,' the first female to become a superstar of salsa AND afro-cuban music. from quite humble beginnings, celia would go on to help reinvent and popularize salsa in the heart of the disco seventies. she would earn an honorary doctorate from yale, a star on the hollywood walk of fame, a statue in the hollywood wax museum and her name on several street signs. yet, celia was always known as someone friendly and down to earth. celia cruz seemed to never tire or slow down. she continued to pursue her passion until her death in 2003 from brain cancer. her departure was a big blow to all the fans who adored her and most importantly to the love of her life, her husband of 41 years, pedro knight. he, too, passed away in 2007 and was buried beside her in the bronx.
celia cruz was an accessible legend. her intentions were actually to become a teacher but i think it's safe to say she taught us plenty. the new york times writer, oscar hijuelos summed celia up best when he described her as 'a woman of worldly charms, good humor and much wisdom, the kind of gracious lady that we would love to have for an aunt, a fairy godmother whose tender-heartedness works a healing magic on even the most troubled of souls.'
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