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Chita Rivera — a pioneering Tony-winning Broadway star and the first Latina recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor — has died.
The tragic news was confirmed by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who said she passed away in New York following a brief illness.
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Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, Chita famously forged a path for Latina artists … becoming the first person to play Anita in “West Side Story” in 1957 and Velma Kelly in “Chicago.”
She earned a staggering 10 Tony nominations during six decades on stage … bagging the Best Actress in a Musical award for both “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “The Rink.”
Chita also starred in Broadway productions of “Threepenny Opera,” “Kiss Me Kate,” and “Sweet Charity,” among many others.
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Most recently, she was dancing onstage in the 2015 production of “The Visit” … telling AP at the time she didn’t know what she’d do if she wasn’t moving, telling a story, or singing a song — adding performance was “the spirit of my life.”
Chita was also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and became a NY Times bestseller in 2023 with the release of her book, “Chita: A Memoir.”
She’s survived by her daughter Lisa Mordente, siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero, and her many nieces and nephews.
5/15/18
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Her rep, Merle Frimark, revealed in a statement her funeral would be private and a memorial service would be announced in due course.
Chita was 91.
RIP
