Chita Rivera Cause of Death and Obituary, What Happened to Chita Rivera? How Did Chita Rivera Die? Who was Chita Rivera?
by Reshwanth A
Updated Jan 31, 2024
Chita Rivera Cause of Death and Obituary
Chita Rivera, the iconic dancer, singer, and actress, passed away on Tuesday. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, announced her death, revealing that Rivera died in New York after a brief illness. Rivera's remarkable career spanned several decades, during which she received 10 Tony nominations and won twice.
She first rose to fame in 1957 as Anita in the original production of "West Side Story" and continued to captivate audiences with her boundless energy in shows like "The Visit" in 2015. Rivera was celebrated for her unwavering passion for her craft, once expressing that movement, storytelling, and singing were the very essence of her life.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, she was honored with numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002, and the role of marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2013.
Rivera's impact as a Latina trailblazer in the entertainment industry cannot be overstated, as she opened doors and served as a beacon of hope for aspiring artists. In an interview, she emphasized the importance of diversity, highlighting that we all have unique perspectives and talents to offer. Chita Rivera's legacy as a versatile performer, collaborator, and role model will continue to inspire generations to come.
Who was Chita Rivera?
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, known professionally as Chita Rivera, was an accomplished American actress, singer, and dancer. Throughout her illustrious career, she received numerous prestigious awards, including two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Drama League Award.
Rivera made history as the first Latina and Latino American to be honored with a Kennedy Center Honor in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. In 2018, she was bestowed with the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. Rivera's journey in the entertainment industry began as a dancer in the Broadway production of "Guys and Dolls" in 1950.
She went on to originate iconic roles in musicals such as Anita in "West Side Story" (1957), Velma Kelly in "Chicago" (1975), and the title character in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1993). With ten Tony Award nominations, she won the award for Best Actress in a Musical twice, for her performances in "The Rink" (1984) and "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1993).
Rivera's talent extended beyond the stage, as she acted in films like "Sweet Charity" (1969), "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (1978), and "Tick, Tick... Boom!" (2021). She also graced television screens, appearing in shows like "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" (1973-1974), "The Judy Garland Show" (1963), "The Carol Burnett Show" (1971), and "Will & Grace" (2005).
Rivera's autobiography, "Chita: A Memoir," was published in 2023, allowing readers to delve into her extraordinary life and career. Chita Rivera's legacy as a multi-talented performer and trailblazer in the entertainment industry will be forever remembered and celebrated.
Name
Chita Rivera
Born
January 23, 1933
Birth Place
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Occupation
Actress, dancer, singer
Years Active
1950–2023
Chita Rivera Early Life
Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, known as Chita Rivera, was born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C. Her parents were Katherine Anderson, a government clerk, and Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero, a talented clarinetist and saxophonist in the U.S. Navy Band. Rivera's father was Puerto Rican, while her mother had Scottish, Irish, and African-American heritage.
She grew up as one of five children, and at the age of seven, her mother became a widow and started working at The Pentagon. In 1944, Rivera's mother enrolled her in the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, now known as the Jones Haywood School of Dance.
When Rivera turned 15, a teacher from George Balanchine's School of American Ballet visited their studio, and she was chosen, along with one other student, to audition in New York City. Accompanied by Doris Jones, one of the school's administrators, Rivera successfully auditioned and was granted a scholarship to attend the prestigious school. These early experiences laid the foundation for Chita Rivera's remarkable journey in the world of dance and performing arts.
Chita Rivera Career
Chita Rivera has received many awards and made a lasting impact in the world of theater. In 1993, she won Tony and Drama Desk awards for her amazing performances in the musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman." She also took part in the London production of "Chicago" and played the character Roxie Hart. In 2001, she starred in "The Visit" at the Goodman Theatre.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized in 2002 when she became a Kennedy Center Honoree. In 2003, she returned to Broadway in the revival of "Nine" and received a Tony nomination. Chita Rivera also appeared in an episode of "Will & Grace" and had her own show called "Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life."
In 2009, she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Rivera's musical talents are evident in her albums like "Chita Rivera: Get Me To The Church On Time." She continued to perform on stage, including in "The Visit," which received critical acclaim.
In 2017, the Astaire Awards were renamed The Chita Rivera Awards in recognition of her contributions to dance and choreography. In 2018, she received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. Chita Rivera is considered one of the greatest Broadway divas of all time because of her incredible talent and captivating presence.
How Did Chita Rivera Die?
Chita Rivera sadly passed away in New York after a short illness. Her remarkable career in Broadway earned her 10 Tony nominations, with two wins, establishing her as a trailblazer for Latina artists. Rivera gained widespread recognition for her unforgettable portrayal of Anita in the original "West Side Story" in 1957 and continued to captivate audiences with her signature energy, even in the 2015 production of "The Visit."
Her love for movement, storytelling, and singing was the very essence of her life, as she revealed in an interview. Rivera's invaluable contributions were duly acknowledged, as she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 and served as the marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2013.
Additionally, she was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002 and won Tony Awards for her exceptional performances in "The Rink" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Even at the age of 84, Rivera embarked on a national tour for her one-woman show, "Chita: A Legendary Celebration," allowing her to share her favorite songs and reflect on her illustrious career and collaborations with esteemed industry figures.
What Happened to Chita Rivera?
Chita Rivera, the famous dancer, singer, and actress, passed away on Tuesday at 91 years old. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, announced that Rivera died in New York after a short illness. Rivera had a remarkable career spanning many years, earning 10 Tony nominations and winning twice. She became well-known for her role as Anita in the original "West Side Story" in 1957 and continued to impress with her energetic performances, even in "The Visit" in 2015.
Rivera's love for dancing, storytelling, and singing remained strong throughout her life. She was recognized with prestigious awards like the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2002, and the role of marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2013.
Notably, she won Tony Awards for her exceptional work in "The Rink" and "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Even in her 80s, Rivera embarked on a national tour for her one-woman show, "Chita: A Legendary Celebration," where she shared her favorite songs and memorable moments from her career. She emphasized the importance of diversity in a 2017 interview, appreciating the value that each person brings, regardless of their background.
Chita Rivera Cause of Death and Obituary - FAQs
Chita Rivera, born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, was a celebrated American actress, singer, and dancer. Her remarkable career included originating iconic roles in Broadway musicals such as Anita in "West Side Story," Velma Kelly in "Chicago," and the title character in "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
Chita Rivera, the iconic dancer, singer, and actress, passed away in New York after a brief illness. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, announced her death, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned several decades. Rivera's impact as a Latina trailblazer in the entertainment industry cannot be overstated, as she opened doors and served as a beacon of hope for aspiring artists.
Chita Rivera, the famous dancer, singer, and actress, passed away at 91 years old after a short illness. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, announced her death, highlighting Rivera's unwavering passion for her craft and her significant contributions to the world of theater.
Chita Rivera, the revered and pioneering Tony-winning dancer and singer, passed away at the age of 91 in New York after a brief illness. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, announced her death, marking the end of a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and left an indelible mark on the world of theater.
Chita Rivera, born on January 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C., began her journey in the world of dance and performing arts at a young age. Her early experiences, including training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and later at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet, laid the foundation for her remarkable career as a versatile performer and trailblazer in the entertainment industry.