The Ministry of Culture and the Cuban Institute of Music announced the death on Sunday, after a long illness, of Cuban singer María Elena Pena, known nationally and internationally as La Dama del Bolero (The Lady of the Bolero).

A press release from both institutions states that the artist was born on May 4, 1949. She began her professional career in 1963, although from a very young age she performed as an amateur.

She is remembered for her performances in the popular television programme Buenas Tardes, Juntos a las Nueve, back in the 70s, the Galas del Concurso Adolfo Guzmán, OTI, among other important presentations in the media.

María Elena Pena was a student of the Mexican professor Alfonso Arau, at the Escuela Nacional de Arte, receiving classes in dance, pantomime, singing and acting, as well as music theory and theory with the maestro Severino Ramos.

In 1967 she started as a singer in the Combo de Franco Laganá, working in the Centro Nocturnos, radio and television, interpreting Cuban and international songs, samba, ballads, ranchera, son, and especially bolero.

He represented Cuba in international festivals and events, as well as performing on stages in Spain, Mexico, the United States and Italy, among others.

Throughout his career he has won several awards, including the Grand Prize, Adolfo Guzmán Competition, Grand Prize Chany Chelacy Festival, ACE Award (Association of Chroniclers and Spectacles) in the United States, in the year 2022.

She was awarded the Distinction for National Culture and the Raúl Gómez García Distinction, among many other recognitions.

Her body will be cremated.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends.

(Information taken from the Ministry of Culture)