My son traveled the world with me on every tour. He wasn’t a lover of school, so it was easy with him. I had a tutor on the road, keep him at the same level, so when he’d pop back home he’d go right back in.
I’m happy and I have a great life.
A woman’s exterior beauty is a reflection of her internal peace and happiness.
My grandmother would shanghai pilots at the Havana airport so they’d bring me cartons of mango baby food – the only kind I’d eat. I learned to eat peach later. And in every carton, she’d slip in a Cuban record.
It’s very tough for a woman in the music business, and he really was such a motivator from the beginning, when I was super-shy, and he saw a lot in me on a personal level that he knew could carry through on the stage.
I have had a life in which I have had to face every big fear, and it has not been pleasant.
Neither. I did not bring my crown, and the last thing I would want to do is get into politics.
Because it’s one thing when you – oh, I love this tune. But then when you go to sing it, it’s got to have something really personal. Then down to 25, and then to pick the final ones I just picked the ones that were more personal, that had something to do with my life.
I left Cuba when I was two years old. They took away my country, they stole the most intimate thing a human being can have. How could I forget that Fidel Castro was the person who did me so much harm?
For I’ve finally realized, that I could be infinitely better than before, definitely stronger. I’ll face whatever comes my way, I’ll savor each moment of the day, Love as many people as I can along the way. Help someone who’s given up, even if it’s just to raise my eyes and pray.
I spent my childhood alone, overweight and ugly, angry at everything, and knowing nothing of a life beyond this sadness.
Of course in Miami, not denouncing Fidel Castro at every turn is almost as bad as saying Gloria Estefan can’t sing.
I’m very excited about this wonderful opportunity to take part in the evolution of a company that is integral to the Hispanic community and a powerful force in all areas of the media.
It’s important to me that the words that I put out there into the cosmos, into the universe, be empowering or somehow positive for people that hear them, or maybe be cathartic if someone is having a relationship that’s having a tough time.
I wanted to talk to very young kids about self-image and about being different and how that can be your strength, especially from the immigrant perspective.
There are so many beautiful things that are a part of the world, and Ive always looked at life that way; Ive always tried to put on a smile and a brave front, not just for my kids but in my own life and all the difficulties that Ive gone through.
I’ve sung since I talked, when I’m two, but what I sang was ballads, because it’s very hard to do a dance track with your little acoustic guitar when you’re a kid.
My mum had a very strong moral code, which I kind of came with. I never really had to be told what was right or wrong – I knew. I was very mature from early on and I was a very good girl, so she never had any trouble with me.
You never know what life has in store for you, but I believe there are certain things one is meant to go through.
I’m very comfortable in my own skin now. I started just being myself more and more. For women, this happens as you get older. I loved my 40s – I thought they were fantastic. And I’m loving my 50s. I’m going to love everything because you’re either older or dead!