Paquita la del Barrio (1947–2025), acclaimed Mexican singer 

Paquita la del Barrio was a Mexican singer, songwriter, and actress whose songs often confronted women’s issues and butted heads with “macho” culture.

Silvia Pinal (1931–2024), Mexican film star

Silvia Pinal was a Mexican star of film and television best known for her work with movie maker Luis Buñuel, including “Viridiana,” “The Exterminating Angel,” and “Simon of the Desert.” 

Angela Bofill (1954–2024), This Time I’ll Be Sweeter singer

Angela Bofill was a Cuban-Puerto Rican singer known for ‘80s hits like “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” “Too Tough,” “I’ll Try,” and “I’m On Your Side.”

Helena Rojo (1944–2024), Mexican actress in telenovelas 

Helena Rojo was a Mexican actress who starred in several telenovelas and in such movies as Werner Herzog’s “Aguirre, the Wrath of God.”

Chita Rivera (1933–2024), Broadway star of West Side Story

Chita Rivera was a Broadway star who won two Tony Awards and originated such roles as Anita in “West Side Story” and Velma Kelly in “Chicago.”

Ana Ofelia Murguía (1933–2023), Disney’s voice of Mamá Coco

Ana Ofelia Murguía was a Mexican actress who provided the voice of Mamá Coco in the 2017 Disney-Pixar feature “Coco.” 

Juanita Castro (1933–2023), anti-communist sister of Fidel Castro

Juanita Castro was an anti-communist activist and author who opposed her brothers, Cuban leaders Fidel Castro and Raíºl Castro, and Cuban Revolution leader Ramón Castro. 

María Martin (1952–2023), creator of Latino USA radio

María Martin was a longtime journalist who created the Latino USA radio program and broadened coverage of Latin American news and events in the United States.

Carol Robles-Román (1962–2023), former Deputy Mayor of New York City 

Carol Robles-Román was an attorney and one of the longest serving deputy mayors in New York City's history.

Leny Andrade (1943–2023), known as the First Lady of Brazilian Jazz

Leny Andrade was a singer and musician whose incredible blend of bossa nova and jazz vocal improvisations garnered her the nickname “First Lady of Brazilian Jazz.” 

Talina Fernández (1944–2023), television host and presenter

Talina Fernández was an actress and television presenter best known for hosting a wide array of shows on Mexican TV, including awards shows, telethons, and reality TV productions.

Gloria Molina (1948–2023), trailblazing California politician

Gloria Molina was the first Latina elected to the California State Assembly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the Los Angeles City Council.

Marisol Malaret (1949–2023), first Puerto Rican Miss Universe

Marisol Malaret was the first Miss Universe from Puerto Rico and the first from the Caribbean islands, who held the crown in 1970.

Rebecca Jones (1957–2023), Mexican telenovela star

Rebecca Jones was a Mexican actress known for starring in telenovelas.

Irma Serrano (1933–2023), Mexico’s La Tigresa singer and actress

Irma Serrano was a Mexican singer, actress, and politician known as La Tigresa.

Lupe Serrano (1930–2023), ballerina who danced with Nureyev

Lupe Serrano was a prima ballerina with the renowned American Ballet Theatre.

Irene Cara (1959–2022), “Flashdance” and “Fame” singer and actress

Irene Cara was a singer and actress who starred in the movie “Fame” and sang the title song, as well as singing the Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning song “Flashdance… What a Feeling.”

Gal Costa (1945–2022), iconic Brazilian singer

Gal Costa was a Brazilian singer who became an icon of tropicália music, blending traditional styles with rock and avant-garde sounds.

Famous Hispanic Americans

During Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, we remember and celebrate the contributions of Latinx Americans in a broad range of fields, from the arts to science, education and politics. These Latino and Latina Americans were pioneers and trendsetters, and they remain inspirations to anyone who aspires to achieve greatness.

María Mendiola (1952–2021), singer known for “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie”

MaríaMendiola was a singer with Baccara, a Spanish disco duo known for their 1977 hit, “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie.”

Delia Fiallo (1924–2021), screenwriter known as the “Mother of Telenovelas”

Delia Fiallo was a Cuban-American romance novelist and screenwriter who wrote dozens of popular telenovelas for Latin American television.

Naya Rivera (1987–2020), actress who starred as Santana Lopez in “Glee”

Naya Rivera was an actress best known for her role as Santana Lopez in the hit musical TV series “Glee.”

Linda Cristal (1931–2020), starred as Victoria Cannon in “The High Chaparral”

Linda Cristal was an actress who starred as Victoria Cannon in the popular Western series “The High Chaparral” from 1967 to 1970.

Andrea Arruti (1998–2020), voice of Elsa in Spanish-language “Frozen”

Andrea Arruti was a Mexican voice actress who provided the voice of Elsa in the Spanish-language version of Disney’s “Frozen.” Her other voiceover credits include the Spanish-language versions of Diamond Tiara in “My Little Pony,” Neeko in “League of Legends,” Brigitte in “Phineas and Ferb,” Makini in “The Lion Guard,” and others.

Shelley Morrison (1936–2019), “Will & Grace” actress

Shelley Morrison, who played maid Rosario on the sitcom “Will & Grace,” died of heart failure in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 1, 2019. She was 83.

Ernestine Romero (1987–2019), award-winning Tejano singer

Ernestine Romero was an award-winning Tejano singer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2016, the New Mexico Hispano Music Association awarded her their CD of the Year, Cumbia Song of the Year, and Salsa Tropical Song of the Year awards, and she was also nominated for a Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year that same year. Romero’s most recent album, 2019’s “Mi Tesoro,” marked her 20th year in the music industry. Her 2015 album “Gracias Señor” included a duet with Grammy-winning singer Ruben Ramos.

Edith Gonzalez (1964–2019), Mexican telenovela star

Edith Gonzalez was a telenovela star best known for her starring role on the Mexican program "Salome." She had leading roles in more than a dozen other telenovelas, including "Cielo Rojo," "Doña Barbara," "La Academia," and "Camaleones." Most recently, she was a judge on the Mexican reality program "This Is My Style."

Beth Carvalho (1946–2019), Brazilian "godmother of samba"

Beth Carvalho was Brazil's "godmother of samba," an exuberant singer who fought for women's place in the traditionally male-dominated genre.

Elena Verdugo (1925–2017), Marcus Welby, M.D. actress

Correction: Elena Verdugo's date of death was later revealed to have been May 30, 2017.

Rosie Hamlin (1945–2017), Angel Baby singer

Songwriter Rosie Hamlin composed and sang the classic song "Angel Baby."

Miriam Colon (1936–2017), Scarface actress

Miriam Colon, the Puerto Rican star of stage and screen who was featured in “Scarface,” died of a lung infection Friday, March 3, 2017, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to The Associated Press. She was 80.

Helen Chávez (1928–2016), United Farm Workers of America activist

Helen Chávez, the widow of longtime United Farm Workers of America leader Cesar Chávez, died June 6 of natural causes in Bakersfield, California, according to multiple news reports. She was 88.

Tonita Castro (1953–2016), sitcom co-star on Dads

Tonita Castro, a Mexican-born actress known best for her co-star roles on the TV sitcoms “Dads” and “Go On,” died May 8 of stomach cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 63.

Adriana Campos (1979 - 2015)

Colombian actress Adriana Campos and her husband, Carlos Rincon, diedTuesday in a tragic car accident, according to Latin Times.

Remembering Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña  was a versatile actress who shifted effortlessly between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts on TV shows like "Modern Family."

¡Azucar, Celia Cruz!

Celia Cruz's sweet beginnings led to a savory career as the Queen of Salsa.

CrazySexyCool: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes

Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, songwriter and rapper with TLC, died nine years ago today. We commemorate the anniversary with a look at her talent – and her lifelong struggle with loss.