Rocio Jurado

Rocío Jurado was born on September 18, 1944, in Chipiona, a small town on Spain's Atlantic coast, near the city of Cádiz. Her father was a shoemaker and flamenco singer in his spare time; her mother was a housewife and amateur performer of Andalusian traditional music. Rocío was the eldest of three children and had a passion for music since childhood. She sang in the church and took part in some festivals organized by her school. After her father's death, she helped with the family finances by working as a shoemaker and as a fruit picker. She also participated in radio contests and won many awards, earning her the nickname of "The Girl of the Awards".[2] A friend of her mother introduced her to Manolo Caracol, a famous flamenco singer who became her mentor. He helped her to get hired by Pastora Imperio, a renowned dancer who ran a flamenco club called El Duende in Madrid. There, Rocío performed as a minor, wearing clothes that made her look older to avoid the attention of the authorities. She sang copla, an Andalusian traditional genre that was losing popularity at the time, but she revitalized it with her energetic and expressive style. She also learned to dance flamenco and to act on stage.[3] Rocío made her film debut in 1963 with Los Guerrilleros, a musical comedy. She went on to star in eight more films, mostly musicals or dramas. She also appeared on television shows and recorded her first album in 1969. She gradually expanded her repertoire to include other genres such as Latin ballad, bolero, tango, ranchera, and pop. She became one of the most popular and successful Spanish singers of all time, selling more than 16 million records and receiving numerous awards and honors. She was especially loved in Latin America, where she toured extensively and collaborated with artists such as Julio Iglesias, José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma", Juan Gabriel, Rocío Dúrcal, and Luis Miguel.[4] Rocío was also known for her personal life, which was often in the spotlight of the media. She married Pedro Carrasco, a world champion boxer, in 1976 and had a daughter with him, Rocío Carrasco. They divorced in 1989 after a turbulent relationship. In 1995, she married José Ortega Cano, a famous bullfighter, and adopted two children from Colombia with him: Gloria Camila and José Fernando. She was also involved in several controversies and legal disputes with her family members and former partners.[5] Rocío was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 and underwent several treatments in Houston and Madrid. She announced her illness to the public in a press conference at her home and received an outpouring of support from her fans and colleagues. Her last performance was on December 20, 2005, when she participated in a tribute show on Spanish television where she sang duets with several artists. She died on June 1, 2006, at her home in Madrid at the age of 61. Her funeral was attended by thousands of people who paid their respects to the singer. She was buried in her hometown of Chipiona, next to her parents.[6] Rocío Jurado is widely regarded as one of the greatest Spanish female singers of the 20th century and a cultural icon of Spain and Latin America. Her powerful voice, emotional performances, and captivating stage presence earned her the title of "La más grande" (The Greatest). She is also considered a pioneer and a role model for women in the music industry, as she broke stereotypes and barriers with her outspoken and independent personality. She left a legacy of songs that are part of the Spanish musical heritage and that continue to inspire and resonate with new generations of artists and fans.[7]