Beloved, influential, and prolific singer-songwriter Celia Cruz was one of the most successful salsa artists in the twentieth century. As a young woman, she sang her way into the hearts of radio listeners throughout her native Cuba and charmed the hearts of audiences as the lead singer of a renowned Cuban orchestra. Her popularity continued to grow, resulting in concerts and engagements abroad. When Fidel Castro took power in Cuba, Cruz and her band mates left the country, never to return. In the United States, her career flourished, and she recorded more records, appeared in films, and won multiple awards. When she died in 2003, a large funeral procession was held for those mourning the death of the "Queen of Salsa." Book jacket.

Cherese Cartlidge is a freelance writer and editor. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from New Mexico State University and a master's degree in education from the University of Georgia. Cartlidge is the author of 10 nonfiction books for juveniles and young adults.

Beloved, influential, and prolific singer-songwriter Celia Cruz was one of the most successful salsa artists in the 20th century. As a young woman, she sang her way into the hearts of radio listeners throughout her native Cuba and charmed the hearts of audiences as the lead singer of a renowned Cuban orchestra. Her popularity continued to grow, resulting in concerts and engagements abroad. When Fidel Castro took power in Cuba, Cruz and her husband refused to return, instead settling in New Jersey. There, her career flourished, and she recorded more records, appeared in films, and won multiple awards. When she died in 2003, a large funeral procession was held for those mourning the death of the Queen of Salsa. This new biography of Celia Cruz examines the colorful life of this artist through descriptive text, vivid photographs, and helpful research features.