Which singer was known as the 'Queen of Salsa'?

Celia Cruz was the singer known as the “Queen of Salsa.”

Born in Havana in 1925, Celia Cruz became one of the most influential Latin singers of the 20th century. She first gained major recognition in Cuba as the lead vocalist of Sonora Matancera, with whom she performed from 1950 to 1965. Her powerful voice, exuberant stage presence, and signature cry of “¡Azúcar!” made her instantly recognizable.

Cruz left Cuba in 1960 after the Cuban Revolution and continued her career in Mexico and the United States. In the 1970s, she became closely associated with New York’s emerging salsa movement, recording for Fania Records and performing with artists including Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colón, and the Fania All-Stars.

Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan are also major Latin performers, but neither is identified by this specific title. Cruz’s salsa legacy includes songs such as “Quimbara,” “La vida es un carnaval,” and “La negra tiene tumbao.” She died in New Jersey in 2003 after a career spanning more than five decades.