Broadway icon Chita Rivera Passes dies at 91
News
By
Fay Ngina
| Feb 02, 2024
Broadway legend Chita Rivera, whose illustrious career spanned over seven decades and paved the way for Latina artists in the industry, has passed away at the age of 91.
Renowned for her vibrant performances as both a singer and dancer, Rivera was a ten-time Tony Award nominee, securing victories twice, and she remarkably recovered from a life-threatening car accident.
Her passing in New York followed a short illness, announced by her daughter Lisa Mordente on Tuesday.
Rivera's breakthrough role came in 1957 when she starred as Anita in the original production of "West Side Story," and she continued to grace the Broadway stage into her eighties, featuring in "The Visit" in 2015.
Her remarkable talent was recognized with Tony Awards for her roles in "The Rink" (1984) and "Kiss Of The Spider Woman" (1993), with her latest nomination occurring in 2014 for "The Visit."
In 2018, Rivera was honored with a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, where she expressed her deep appreciation for the theatre, stating, "I wouldn't trade my life in the theatre for anything, because theatre is life."