Immigrant of the Day: Gloria Estefan

Gloria Estefan (born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García on September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba) is a five-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban American singer and songwriter. Estefan began her career as lead vocalist for the dance music band, Miami Sound Machine, in 1975. They crossed over to mainstream popular success with English-speaking audiences with the international hit singles, “Dr. Beat” (1984) and “Conga” (1986). Known as the “Queen of Latin Pop” and with over 90 million albums sold worldwide, she is the single most successful crossover performer in Latin music history.

Cuban-born, Gloria’s family moved to Miami, Florida when she was 16 months old, following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Gloria’s father José Fajardo, who in the 1950s was a personal bodyguard to then Cuban president Fulgencio Batista’s wife, was captured in the ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion that attempted to overthrow the new communist government established by Fidel Castro. Gloria’s father was held as a prisoner until an exchange was arranged by President John F. Kennedy.

Estefan is an ardent opponent of communism, who has spoken often of her desire for a free and democratic Cuba.

In 1995, Estefan sang the Billboard Latin #1 song “Mas Allá” for Pope John Paul II as part of the celebration of his 50th anniversary in the priesthood. She was the first pop star invited to perform for the Pope. At their meeting, Estefan asked the Pope to pray for a free Cuba. She has been an active opponent of Fidel Castro’s government, and supported the unsuccessful effort to keep young Elián González in the United States.

Click here for Gloria Estefan’s official website. 

KJ