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Estefan was born Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo in 1957 in Havana, Cuba. As a toddler Gloria fled Cuba with her family when Communist dictator Fidel Castro rose to power. The family settled in Miami, Florida. As a child Estefan liked to write poetry. She had no idea that she would someday become a popular music star, but music played a very important role for her as a teenager.
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Estefan’s love for music began as a result of family misfortune. Her father joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam; but when he returned home, he was diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. Estefan’s mother, a teacher, worked to support the family. So young Gloria was left to take care of her father and younger sister, and as a result, she had little social life. Because she felt the weight of such responsibilities, she turned to music as a release. Estefan reported:
"When my father was ill, music was my escape. I would lock myself up in my room for hours and just sing. I wouldn't cry—I refused to cry. ... Music was the only way I had to just let go, so I sang for fun and for emotional healing." |
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