Early Life and Education of Gloria Estefan: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Gloria Estefan. A timeline of key moments.

Gloria Estefan is a highly successful Cuban-American singer, actress, and businesswoman. An eight-time Grammy Award winner and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she's recognized as one of the greatest artists by VH1 and Billboard. Her record sales surpass 100 million globally, solidifying her status as one of the best-selling female singers ever.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1930: Birth of Gloria Garcia

In 1930, Gloria García, Gloria Estefan's mother, was born.

1933: Birth of José Fajardo

In 1933, José Fajardo, Gloria Estefan's father, was born.

September 1, 1957: Gloria Estefan Born in Havana, Cuba

On September 1, 1957, Gloria Estefan, whose birth name was Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García, was born in Havana, Cuba. Her parents were José Fajardo and Gloria García.

September 1, 1957: Gloria Estefan Born

On September 1, 1957, Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García, later known as Gloria Estefan, was born in Havana, Cuba.

1957: Mercedes "Merci" Navarro Born

In 1957, Mercedes "Merci" Navarro, Gloria Estefan's cousin, was born. She would later meet Emilio Estefan, Jr. alongside Gloria.

1959: Fajardo Family Flees to Miami

In 1959, as a result of the Cuban Revolution, the Fajardo family, including Gloria Estefan, fled Cuba and settled in Miami.

1961: José Fajardo Participates in Bay of Pigs Invasion

In 1961, Gloria Estefan's father, José Fajardo, participated in the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion and was imprisoned in Cuba for nearly two years.

1963: Birth of Rebecca Fajardo

In 1963, Gloria Estefan's younger sister Rebecca, nicknamed Becky, was born.

1968: Estefan's Father Returns from Vietnam War

In 1968, Gloria Estefan's father returned from the Vietnam War and became ill with multiple sclerosis, attributed to Agent Orange exposure.

1974: Estefan Becomes a Naturalized US Citizen

In 1974, Gloria Estefan became a naturalized citizen of the United States under the name Gloria Garcia Fajardo.

1975: Estefan Meets Emilio Estefan, Jr.

In 1975, Gloria Estefan met Emilio Estefan, Jr. while performing at a church ensemble rehearsal.

1976: Romantic Involvement with Emilio Estefan

In 1976, Gloria Estefan became romantically involved with Emilio Estefan, the band leader of the Miami Sound Machine, later stating he was her first and only boyfriend.

September 1978: Marriage to Emilio Estefan

On September 2, 1978, Gloria Estefan married Emilio Estefan.

1978: Estefan Marries Emilio Estefan Jr.

In 1978, Gloria Estefan married Emilio Estefan Jr. after two years of dating, marking a significant personal milestone.

1979: Estefan Graduates 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, marking the completion of her formal education.

September 1980: Birth of Son, Nayib

On September 2, 1980, Gloria and Emilio Estefan's son, Nayib, was born.

1980: Death of José Fajardo

In 1980, José Fajardo, Gloria Estefan's father, passed away.

1984: Beginning of hits included in 'The Essential Gloria Estefan'

In 1984, Gloria Estefan started her journey of making hits that would be compiled in the album 'The Essential Gloria Estefan' released in 2006.

1984: Inducted into Iron Arrow Honor Society

In 1984, Gloria Estefan was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the University of Miami.

1989: Reference to 'Get on Your Feet'

In April 2020, Gloria Estefan released "Put on Your Mask", a parody of her 1989 song "Get on Your Feet", with the lyrics changed to reflect the importance of wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 1990: Estefan Injured in Bus Crash

In March 1990, Gloria Estefan sustained a life-threatening cervical fracture of her spine when her tour bus was involved in a crash near Scranton, Pennsylvania, marking a challenging moment in her career and personal life.

March 20, 1990: Estefan Critically Injured in Bus Crash

On March 20, 1990, while touring in support of Cuts Both Ways, Gloria Estefan suffered a fractured spine when a semi-truck crashed into her tour bus near Scranton, Pennsylvania. She underwent surgery and required a year of physical therapy to recover.

1990: Tour bus crash

In 1990, Gloria Estefan was in a tour bus crash. After the crash, doctors told her she would not be able to have any more children, however she gave birth to a daughter in 1994.

January 26, 1992: Estefan Performs at Super Bowl XXVI Halftime Show

On January 26, 1992, Gloria Estefan performed in the Super Bowl XXVI halftime show, marking a significant performance in her career.

1993: Honorary Doctoral Degree from the University of Miami

In 1993, Gloria Estefan received an honorary doctoral degree in music from the University of Miami.

December 1994: Birth of Daughter, Emily

On December 5, 1994, Gloria and Emilio Estefan's daughter, Emily, was born after Gloria was told she would not be able to have any more children.

1994: Reference to album 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me'

In September 2013, Gloria Estefan's album 'The Standards' reached No. 20 on the US Billboard 200 chart, marking her first top 20 album since 1994's Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.

1998: Reference to 'Gloria!' album

In September 2011, Gloria Estefan released "Miss Little Havana". She described the album as resembling her 1998 hit album Gloria!.

2002: Honorary Law Degree from Barry University

In 2002, Barry University in Miami bestowed upon Gloria Estefan an honorary law degree.

2003: Ending of hits included in 'The Essential Gloria Estefan'

In 2003, Gloria Estefan continued making hits that would be compiled in the album 'The Essential Gloria Estefan' released in 2006.

2007: Honorary Doctorate and Commencement Address at Berklee College of Music

In 2007, Gloria Estefan and her husband received honorary doctoral degrees in music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and she delivered the commencement address to the graduating class.

2007: Death of Mercedes Navarro

In 2007, Mercedes Navarro, Gloria Estefan's cousin, passed away.

2008: Opening of Costa d'Este hotel

In 2008, Gloria and Emilio Estefan opened Costa d'Este, one of their two hotels, in Vero Beach.

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.

March 2010: 'Somos El Mundo' Release and Calle Ocho March

In March 2010, Gloria Estefan released "Somos El Mundo", a Spanish-language version of Michael Jackson's "We Are the World" for Haitian relief. On 24 March 2010, Estefan also led a march in Miami supporting Cuba's Las Damas de Blanco.

June 2012: Becoming a Grandmother

In June 2012, Gloria Estefan became a grandmother when her son, Nayib, and his wife welcomed a son.

April 2014: Honored at "Power of Love Event"

In April 2014, Gloria Estefan and her husband were honored at the "Power of Love Event for Keep Memory Alive" in Las Vegas, with a musical tribute from artists like Ricky Martin and Rita Moreno.