Celia Cruz, known affectionately as the Queen of Salsa and La Guarachera de Cuba, was one of the most significant female artists of the 20th century. While many are familiar with the Latina icon’s music, not many know her trauma of being exiled from Cuba and being unable to attend her mother’s funeral. After leaving Cuba on July 15, 1960, Cruz was never able to return to her island, and she carried that pain with her until her death at 77 years old at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on July 16, 2003. #celiacruz #queenofsalsa #cuba #cubana #afrolatina #latinapower #poderosa #guaracheradecuba #azucar #hlog #cubanrevolution #cubanimmigrant #salsamusic #immigrantstories