¡Azúcar! Celia Cruz Makes Money History

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Imagine reaching into your pocket and finding a piece of musical history. That's now a reality as Celia Cruz, the "Queen of Salsa," becomes the first Afro-Latina to grace a U.S. quarter!

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A Quarter Fit for a Queen

The 2024 American Women Quarters Program has honored Cruz in a way that matches her larger-than-life personality:

• Designed by Phebe Hemphill, a medallic artist for the U.S. Mint

• Combines traditional clay relief sculpting with 3D imaging

• Features Cruz in her famous rumba attire, smiling with her iconic "¡Azúcar!" catchphrase

Hemphill's challenge? Capturing Cruz's vivacity on such a small canvas. "I knew I had to make the design for superstar Celia Cruz as dynamic as she was," she said.

From Havana to Global Stardom

Born in Havana in 1925, Cruz's journey is one for the history books:

• Started in local cabarets, rose to international fame

• Moved to the U.S. after the Cuban Revolution

• Earned platinum albums, Grammy awards, and collaborations with legends like Tito Puente

Cruz once said, "I have fulfilled my father's wish to be a teacher... As a performer, I want people to feel their hearts sing and their spirits soar."

More Than Just Music

Cruz wasn't just about the sound - she was a full sensory experience:

• Known for improvisational lyrics and energetic dancing

• Her dazzling outfits are now part of the Smithsonian's collection

• "¡Azúcar!" (Sugar!) started as a joke about Cuba's strong coffee and became her signature exclamation

Did you know?

• Celia Cruz recorded over 70 albums and won seven Grammy Awards in her lifetime.

• Her colorful wigs were as famous as her voice - she owned hundreds of them!

• Cruz's catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" was shouted approximately 527 times during her appearances on "The Johnny Pacheco Show."

• She once performed for U.S. President Bill Clinton while wearing a dress made entirely of tiny mirrors.

• Cruz's last wish was to have soil from Cuba, which she hadn't visited since 1960, sprinkled in her coffin.

Turn up the volume and dance to her iconic hit "La Vida Es Un Carnaval"

Best,

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"As a performer, I want people to feel their hearts sing and their spirits soar." – Celia Cruz

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