Elza Soares

Elza Soares
Courtesy of Instagram

Details

Also Known As:
Brazilian Tina Turner
Date of Birth:
June 23, 1937
Hometown:
Rio de Janeiro

Bio:
Elza Soares (born Elza Soares in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 23, 1937) is a Brazilian samba singer. After being discovered in a Brazilian singing competition hosted by famous musician Ary Barroso, Elza released her first solo record in 1960. She toured the U.S. and Europe in the 1970s, continuing her 40-plus-year career in South America. Elza received her first Grammy nomination in 2002, but did not win despite the album receiving great critical acclaim. Elza had the honor of performing at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Best Known For:
Elza is known for her career as a chart-topping samba singer in Brazil.

Personal Life:
Elza married Brazilian football player Garrincha in 1966. The two had a brief separation in 1977, but then were together until Garrincha passed away from cirrhosis of the liver in 1983. Since Garrincha’s death, Elza’s personal life has remained out of the spotlight.