Celia CRUZ was a Cuban-American singer and one of the most popular figures in Latin music. She was known as the 'Queen of Salsa' due to her influential role in popularizing the genre. Her career spanned over six decades, during which she won three Grammy Awards and was honored with the National Medal of Arts. CRUZ was also known for her collaborations with other Latin music stars, such as Tito Puente, with whom she formed the duo Celia CRUZ & La Sonora Matancera. CRUZ's birth name was Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad CRUZ Alfonso. Her nickname, CRUZ, was derived from her last name.