Gloria And Emilio Estefan Say Goodbye To Celia Cruz

07/21/2003 12:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
LAUNCH Radio Networks

(7/21/03, 12 p.m. ET) -- Singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, producer Emilio Estefan, have released two statements regarding the death of the queen of salsa Celia Cruz. Cruz, one of the most important figures in Cuban music of the 20th century, died on July 16 at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey. "The Queen of Salsa," as she was called, had a career that spanned more than 50 years. She was 78 and had been battling brain cancer.

Havana, Cuba-born singer Gloria Estefan wrote, "I don't want to say that we've lost Celia because her music, her spirit and her 'azucar' (sugar) will always be with us. Cubans and Latinos alike can feel proud that with her voice and her wonderful qualities, she showed the world the best of our culture. Although I will miss her very much, my heart will always hold all the beautiful things that, through her example, she showed me."

Emilio Estefan added, "Thank you for your talent...Thank you for your humbleness...Thank you for keeping Cuba close to our hearts...Thank you for uniting all Hispanics and making us very proud...Your 'azucar' and flavor will always be in our hearts."

The Estefans are in Las Vegas on Monday (July 21) to reveal details of Gloria's new Las Vegas show happening at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace between October 10 through 12 and October 16 through 19.

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