Entertainment
Gloria Estefan becomes first Latina inducted into songwriters Hall of Fame
Throughout her decades-long career Estefan has been praised for bringing Latin sounds and rhythms to American mainstream music with her hits such as “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Let’s Get Loud”
June 19, 2023 8:14am
Updated: June 19, 2023 8:14am
Cuban-born singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Gloria Estefan became the first Latina woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday.
The singer’s 40-year-long career was honored during a ceremony that was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, alongside other celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Teddy Riley.
“I still find great joy in songwriting, and it’s always a surprise when inspiration strikes,” Estefan commented in an interview with Billboard Español. “It’s wonderful that it has happened so often, and now I’m receiving this great recognition. As long as I have something to say, people will listen.”
Estefan, 65, moved to Miami fleeing the Cuban Revolution to begin a new life full of opportunities. She began her career in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the band Miami Sound Machine, which she co-founded with her husband Emilio Estefan.
She then began her career as a solo artist and established herself as one of the most renowned Latina singers. Throughout her decades-long career Estefan has been praised for bringing Latin sounds and rhythms to American mainstream music with her hits such as “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Let’s Get Loud.”
The Cuban singer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and has won eight Grammy Awards. Additionally, 29 or her songs made it to the Billboard Hot 100 list, including “Anything for You,” “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” and “Coming Out of the Dark.”
In 2017, she was the first Cuban American artist honored with the Kennedy Center Honors Award. And in 2015, she was granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award by then-President Barack Obama for her contribution to American music.
Estefan’s career is still going strong, releasing her latest album last year during Christmas, titled “Estefan Family Christmas.” She also appeared as an actress in the recent remake of the film “Father of the Bride,” in which she appears with fellow Cuban-American co-star Andy Garcia.
