Gloria Estefan Biography

Gloria Estefan, Singer

Birthdate: September 1, 1957

Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Sign: Virgo

Gloria Maria Fajardo was born to Jose Fajardo and Gloria Garcia Perez de Fajardo in Havana, Cuba. Her father, a personal bodyguard to former Cuban president Fulgencio Batista's wife in the 50s, was held as a political prisoner for five months when Fidel Castro's forces invaded the palace in 1959. As a result, her mother had taken her when she was just 16 months old to Miami following the Cuban Revolution. Her father later rejoined them upon his release.

The future "Queen of Latin Pop" had been primarily raised in Miami. She attended the University of Miami and took up a degree in communications and psychology, with a minor in French. While studying there, she worked as a Spanish and French translator at Miami International Airport's Customs Department.

In 1975, Gloria met her future husband, Emilio Estefan Jr., at a large Cuban wedding. He had asked her to join a music group, The Miami Latin Boys, which was changed to a more popular Miami Sound Machine. She joined the band in 1977.

The group's Primitive Love album, released in 1985, had given them three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. "Conga" (#10), "Words Get in the Way" (#5), and "Bad Boy" (#8) had led the group into stardom.

In 1987, their album Let It Loose went multi-platinum and sold six million copies in the U.S. It includes the hits "Anything For You" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" among others.

In 1988, Gloria took the top billing in the band and their name was changed to Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine. In 1989, the group's name was totally eliminated along with the dismissal of some of the band members. She was then credited as a solo artist while the Miami Sound Machine, with different members, continues as her backing band to this day.

Amidst her success as a solo artist and her recognition as one of the most respected pop singers all over the world, Gloria suffered a critical injury in 1990. While touring for her Cuts Both Ways album near Scranton, Pennsylvania, she suffered a fractured spine after a speeding semi-truck crashed into her tour bus. She was implanted with two titanium rods to stabilize her spinal column. She had recuperated after almost one year of intensive physical therapy.

Gloria continued to create dance and pop hits and embarked on tours all throughout the 90s and 2000s. In 1999, she had her film debut in the movie "Music of the Hear" with Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn and Angela Bassett.

Gloria and husband Emilio were married in 1978, two years after they become romantically involved. They have a son named Nayib (born in 1980) and a daughter Emily Marie (born in 1994).