Cesária Évora

27 August 1941 – 17 December 2011

Cesária Évora was a Cape Verdean singer known for her interpretations of morna, the melancholic song form of her home islands. After decades performing in the bars of Mindelo, she recorded in Paris from the late 1980s and reached international audiences with the album Miss Perfumado. She performed barefoot on stage and won a Grammy Award for the album Voz d'Amor.

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Life events

Born in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde
27 August 1941

Born in the port town of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Began singing in the bars of Mindelo
c. 1955

Started performing morna and coladeira in local bars and for visiting sailors as a teenager.

Career ?
Travelled to Lisbon to record
1985

Invited to Portugal, where she took part in her first studio recordings.

Career ?
Released the album La Diva aux Pieds Nus in Paris
1988

Her first internationally distributed album, recorded in France.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Released Miss Perfumado
1992

The album, which included the song Sodade, brought her a wide international audience.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Released Voz d'Amor
2003

Recorded the album that later won a Grammy Award.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album
2004

Awarded for the album Voz d'Amor.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Announced her retirement from performing
September 2011

Withdrew from touring after repeated health problems, including heart surgery.

Career ?
Died in Mindelo
17 December 2011

Died in hospital on São Vicente at the age of 70.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓