Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gloria Estefan
Discover the career path of Gloria Estefan, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Gloria Estefan is a highly acclaimed Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and eight Grammy Awards, she's recognized as one of the greatest artists by VH1 and Billboard. With record sales surpassing 100 million globally, Estefan stands as one of the best-selling female singers of all time.
1975: Meeting Emilio Estefan and joining Miami Latin Boys
In 1975, Gloria Estefan met Emilio Estefan, Jr. and joined the Miami Latin Boys (later Miami Sound Machine) after performing at a wedding.
1977: Recording and releasing albums
In 1977, Miami Sound Machine began recording and releasing various albums and 45s on the Audiofon Records label in Miami, with their first album titled Live Again/Renacer.
1979: Graduation from University of Miami
In 1979, Gloria Estefan graduated from the University of Miami with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in French.
1984: Release of Eyes of Innocence album
In 1984, Miami Sound Machine released their first Epic/Columbia album, Eyes of Innocence, which included the dance hit "Dr. Beat" and the ballad "I Need Your Love".
1985: Worldwide success with "Conga"
In 1985, Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine achieved worldwide success with their single "Conga," which became Estefan's signature song.
1985: Release of Primitive Love album and Billboard hits
In 1985, Miami Sound Machine released their more successful follow-up album Primitive Love, which contained three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Conga", "Words Get in the Way", and "Bad Boy".
1987: Release of Let It Loose album
In 1987, Miami Sound Machine released "Let It Loose", which went multi-platinum. Later that year, Estefan took top billing and the band's name changed to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine.
1988: Repackaging of Let It Loose as Anything for You
In 1988, after the worldwide chart success of the single "Anything for You", the album Let It Loose was repackaged as Anything for You.
1989: Debut solo album, Cuts Both Ways
In 1989, Gloria Estefan rose to solo stardom with her debut solo album, "Cuts Both Ways".
1989: Release of Cuts Both Ways
In late 1989, Gloria Estefan released her best-selling album to date, "Cuts Both Ways", after being credited as a solo artist since the group's name was dropped.
January 1991: Release of Into the Light album
In January 1991, Gloria Estefan released the concept album "Into the Light" and performed "Coming Out of the Dark" for the first time at the American Music Awards.
January 26, 1992: Performance at Super Bowl XXVI Halftime Show
On January 26, 1992, Gloria Estefan performed in the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show.
1992: Public Member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations
In 1992, Gloria Estefan served as a public member of the U.S. Delegation to the 47th Session of the United Nations' General Assembly Opening Plenary.
June 1993: Release of Mi Tierra album
In June 1993, Gloria Estefan released her first Spanish-language album, "Mi Tierra".
September 1993: Release of Christmas Through Your Eyes
In September 1993, Gloria Estefan released her first Christmas album, "Christmas Through Your Eyes".
1993: Grammy Award for Mi Tierra
In 1993, Gloria Estefan's Spanish-language album, "Mi Tierra", won the first of her three Grammy Awards for Best Tropical Latin Album and became the first Diamond album in Spain.
October 1994: Release of Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
In October 1994, Gloria Estefan released "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me", a cover album featuring some of her favorite songs from the 1960s and 1970s.
1994: Musicares Person of the Year
In 1994, Gloria Estefan was named Musicares Person of the Year.
1995: Release of Abriendo Puertas album
In 1995, Gloria Estefan released her second Spanish-language album, "Abriendo Puertas".
1996: Billboard Spirit of Hope Award
In 1996, Gloria Estefan received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for her philanthropic work.
1997: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
In 1997, Gloria Estefan received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
2002: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Medallion of Excellence
In 2002, Gloria Estefan received the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Medallion of Excellence for Community Service.
April 2004: Guest mentor on 'American Idol'
In April 2004, Gloria Estefan appeared on the Fox Broadcasting Company's program 'American Idol' as a guest mentor for the contestants during Latin Week.
2005: Publication of "The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog"
In 2005, Gloria Estefan published her first children's book, 'The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog'.
2006: Publication of "Noelle's Treasure Tale"
In 2006, Gloria Estefan published her second children's book, 'Noelle's Treasure Tale', which became a New York Times Bestseller.
2007: Appointment to Univision Communications Inc. board
In 2007, Gloria Estefan was appointed to the board of directors for Univision Communications Inc.
March 2008: Parade Magazine reports on 'Who's Sorry Now?'
In March 2008, Parade magazine reported that filming for the biographical film 'Who's Sorry Now?', starring Gloria Estefan as Connie Francis, was scheduled to begin in late 2008.
November 2008: Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year
In November 2008, Gloria Estefan received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award at the Latin Grammy Awards, recognizing her twenty-five-year singing career. She also won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Album for '90 Millas', and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song for her single "Píntame De Colores".
2008: Publication of 'Estefan Kitchen' cookbook
In 2008, Gloria Estefan collaborated with her husband, Emilio Estefan, on a cookbook titled 'Estefan Kitchen', featuring 60 traditional Cuban recipes.
2008: Opening of Costa d'Este hotel in Vero Beach
In 2008, Gloria and Emilio Estefan opened the Costa d'Este hotel in Vero Beach as part of their business ventures.
March 2009: BMI Icon Award
On March 12, 2009, Gloria Estefan was honored as a BMI Icon at the 16th annual BMI Latin Awards. Her catalog includes 22 BMI Latin and Pop Awards, along with 11 BMI Million-Air Awards.
June 2009: Minor ownership stake in Miami Dolphins
In June 2009, Gloria Estefan and her husband became the first Hispanics to buy a minor ownership stake in an NFL team, the Miami Dolphins.
December 2009: 'Who's Sorry Now?' film project dropped
In December 2009, the biographical film 'Who's Sorry Now?' starring Gloria Estefan was dropped due to irreconcilable differences between Connie Francis and Estefan regarding the film's writer.
April 2011: Billboard Spirit of Hope Award
On April 28, 2011, Gloria Estefan was honored with the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for her philanthropic work for the second time at the Latin Billboard Awards.
April 2013: TEDx Via della Conciliazione speech
On April 19, 2013, Gloria Estefan spoke at TEDx Via della Conciliazione on the theme "Religious freedom today".
2014: Caribbean American Mover and Shakers Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2014, Gloria Estefan and her husband received a Caribbean American Mover and Shakers Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to the Hispanic and multicultural community.
November 2015: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In November 2015, Gloria Estefan, along with her husband, was announced to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her contributions to American music.
August 2019: Closure of Bongos Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs
In August 2019, the Estefans closed their restaurant Bongos Cuban Cafe, which had been located at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World for 22 years.
February 2020: Opening of Estefan's Kitchen at Sunset Walk
In February 2020, the Estefans re-imagined their closed restaurant, Bongos Cuban Cafe, as Estefan's Kitchen, which opened at the Sunset Walk at Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
2020: Co-hosting 'Red Table Talk: The Estefans'
In 2020, Gloria Estefan began co-hosting 'Red Table Talk: The Estefans', a spin-off of the Facebook Watch talk show 'Red Table Talk', alongside her daughter Emily Estefan and niece Lili Estefan.
2021: Voice role in 'Vivo'
In 2021, Gloria Estefan voiced the character of Marta Sandoval, a legendary singer on the verge of retirement, in the animated film 'Vivo', which features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and was released in theaters and on Netflix.
December 2022: Guest Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional
In December 2022, Gloria Estefan was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Epcot, Walt Disney World.
2023: Commonwealth Award of Distinguished Service
In 2023, Gloria Estefan was honored with the 44th annual Commonwealth Awards of Distinguished Service for her philanthropic commitment.
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