Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, aka Celia Cruz was a naturalized Afro-Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba during the 1950s as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname "La Guarachera de Cuba." In the following decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her contributions to Latin music.

She began her career in her native Cuba, earning recognition as a vocalist of the popular musical group Sonora Matancera, a musical association that lasted fifteen years (1950-1965). Cruz mastered various Afro-Cuban music styles, including guaracha, rumba, afro, son, and bolero, recording numerous singles in these styles for Seeco Records. In 1960, after the Cuban Revolution caused the nationalization of the music industry, Cruz left her native country, becoming one of the symbols and spokespersons of the Cuban community in exile. Cruz continued her career, first in Mexico and then in the United States, the country she took as her definitive residence. In the 1960s, she collaborated with Tito Puente, recording her signature tune, "Bemba colorá." In the 1970s, she signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such as "Quimbara." She often appeared live with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. During the last years of her career, Cruz continued to release successful songs such as "La Vida es un Carnaval" and "La Negra Tiene tumbao."

Her musical legacy is made up of a total of 37 studio albums, as well as numerous live albums and collaborations. She was awarded numerous prizes and distinctions throughout her career, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. In addition to her prolific career in music, Cruz also made several appearances as an actress in movies and telenovelas. Her catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!") has become one of the most recognizable symbols of salsa music.

In August and September 2002, Cruz underwent surgery due to breast cancer. In November of that year, Cruz fell during a concert in Mexico. She was diagnosed with glioma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and underwent surgery in December. Confident, Cruz said she did not shed one tear and was aiming to resume her artistic career. She finished recording her last album, Regalo del Alma. In February, she appeared in public again at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards to receive the award for Best Salsa Album. In March 2003, she was paid tribute by the US Hispanic network Telemundo. The event, titled ¡Celia Cruz: Azúcar!, involved figures such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, La India, Gloria Gaynor, and Patti LaBelle, among others. This was her last public appearance.

On the afternoon of 16 July 2003, Cruz died at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77. At her express wish, her mortal remains were first transferred to Miami for two days to receive the homage of her Cuban exile admirers, returning and finally resting in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. An epilogue in her autobiography notes that, by her wishes, Cuban soil, which she had saved from a visit to Guantánamo Bay, was used in her burial.

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