Gloria Estefan: A musical icon that leaves a mark on all generations

This article appeared in modernmic.com and has been published here with permission.

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It is indisputable that Gloria Estefan is an icon, not only in music, but also in the Latino community in the United States. The Cuban-American singer has reached the pinnacle of the industry thanks to her extraordinary talent and ability to connect with audiences. With three Grammy Awards, five Latin Grammys and more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, her career is inspiring. In addition, Gloria has shared her story, full of love for music, even revealing some of her most difficult moments.

Your family

Gloria Estefan's real name is Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García. She was born in Havana, Cuba, on September 1, 1957. She is the daughter of José Fajardo and Gloria García. Her maternal grandparents were Spanish immigrants in Cuba; her grandfather, Leonardo García, had come from Pola de Siero, Asturias, where he married her grandmother, who was from Logroño.

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Before the Cuban Revolution, his father was a soldier and bodyguard to Fulgencio Batista's wife. At 16 months old, the family left Cuba and settled in Miami, in a small apartment near the Orange Bowl. His father participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion.

His father was captured

Gloria Estefan's father, José, was captured and imprisoned in Cuba for almost two years by his cousin, a member of Fidel Castro's army, after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

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Jose was part of a group of Cuban refugees who supported the United States in its attempt to overthrow Castro during this invasion. After returning from the Vietnam War, Jose became ill with multiple sclerosis, possibly due to exposure to Agent Orange. Gloria took care of him.

What did Gloria study?

Gloria attended St. Michael-Archangel School and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, where she was a member of the National Honor Society student organization. In 1979, Gloria earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Miami.

Instagram // @gloriaestefan

During her college years, she worked in the Customs Department of the Miami International Airport, where she translated French and English. However, her studies always came first. It was during her studies that her father returned from Vietnam and became ill.

Did you work for the CIA?

From a young age, she stood out for her command of several languages and, as a result of her good performance in the Customs Department, the CIA offered her to work with them, proposing her to do her training in Atlanta. The agency emphasized her discreet profile and assured her that no one would ever suspect her.

Instagram // @gloriaestefan

However, her mother, concerned about the dangers that this job might entail and considering the suffering Gloria had already experienced with her father, persuaded her to turn down the offer, which she finally did.