Celia Cruz (1925 –2003) was a Salsa music singer and actress winner of multiples accolades. Heralded as the Queen of Salsa Music, or Queen of Latin Music, Celia is one of the best-selling Latin music artists, with over 10 million records sold. Her career spanned 50-years-plus, and was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "longest career as a salsa artist" in 2003.
Celia Cruz won her first award in Cuba at a popular radio show in 1947. Through her career, she amassed varios major awards, including "Billboard" Latin Music Awards, Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy Awards and Lo Nuestro Awards. By 1982, she won an estimated 100 international awards.
Celia received special recognitions both in her life and posthumously for her success and trayectory, including the first ASCAP Latin Heritage Award, and the inaugural Lo Nuestro Excellence Award in 1990. She was also the first artist inducted into the "Billboard" Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1994 alongside Cachao López. She has been admitted into other halls and walks of fame, including Plaza de las Estrellas (Mexico) and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Outside of her work in music, she was recognized for her philanthropic endeavors, including a Hispanic Heritage Awards, as well The Recording Academy's Heroes Award in 1999. In addition, Celia Cruz was condecorated with various major civil awards, including by presidents of the United States and Colombia, as well honorary degrees by some universities. She became the first Latin musical performer to be given the Ellis Island Honors Society, and the first Afro Latina to have her likeness appear on an U.S. currency.