Elza Soares was a Brazilian samba singer called “Singer of the Millennium” by BBC Radio.
- Died: January 20, 2022 (Who else died on January 20?)
- Details of death: Died at her home in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 91.
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Singing career
Soares famously rose from poverty to stardom after being forced to marry when she was 12 years old. She entered a singing competition at 15; after being mocked by the host for her tattered clothing, she stunned the audience with her talent. Her career quickly took off. Soares became known for innovating samba as she added scat singing to her music and brought attention to the samba style of Brazil’s impoverished favelas. Her singles included “Se Acaso Você Chegasse” and “Aquarela Brasileira.”
Soares’ personal life was fraught with scandal when she married soccer superstar Garrincha (1933–1983) after he left his marriage for their relationship. Her personal life overshadowed her career for years, but Soares made a career comeback and was named “Singer of the Millennium” along with Tina Turner in 2000 by BBC Radio. She sang at the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; in the same year, she won a Latin Grammy Award for her album “A Mulher do Fim do Mundo.” Soares continued to record and perform into her 90s, most recently releasing the album “Planeta Fome” in 2019.
Notable quote
“Look, samba is the root of all virtue, right? Samba is what got me started. But I think, if you can sing, you have to sing everything. You can’t let yourself get pigeonholed into a single rhythm.” —from a 2020 interview for the Guardian
Tributes to Elza Soares
Full obituary: The New York Times
