Singer, Political Figure. Called "The Soul of Puerto Rico made song", she was perhaps her country's most popular and respected vocalist. Born Ruth Naomi Fernandez Cortada, she was raised by her grandmother following her mother's early death, learned to play the piano at a young age, and by 14 was singing professionally on the radio. Spotted by bandleader Mingo around 1940 she began establishing a following in nightclubs and casinos and soon made her first tour which took her to Latin America and New York. In 1941 Ruth had a hit with "Quando Vuelvas" ("When You Return") and was signed by Columbia Records. During World War II and the Korean War she traveled entertaining the troops and in 1960 made her Carnegie Hall debut. Ruth became the first artist to perform popular music at the Metropolitan Opera and in 1973 made a much praised return trip to Carnegie Hall; heard throughout the Western Hemisphere and Europe she was always called upon for her signature pieces "Arriba, Corazones!" ("Lift Up Your Hearts!") and especially "Gracias, Mundo" ("Thank You, World"). Looked up to in her homeland she was elected to the Puerto Rican Senate in 1972 and remained there until 1981. She continued performing into advanced years and died of septicemia complicated by a number of chronic problems. At her death several of her records remained in print. An advocate of continued ties with the United States during her political career she said: "Go to any Latin American country. Who is the most advanced in education, health? Puerto Rico. You don't change what is good".
Singer, Political Figure. Called "The Soul of Puerto Rico made song", she was perhaps her country's most popular and respected vocalist. Born Ruth Naomi Fernandez Cortada, she was raised by her grandmother following her mother's early death, learned to play the piano at a young age, and by 14 was singing professionally on the radio. Spotted by bandleader Mingo around 1940 she began establishing a following in nightclubs and casinos and soon made her first tour which took her to Latin America and New York. In 1941 Ruth had a hit with "Quando Vuelvas" ("When You Return") and was signed by Columbia Records. During World War II and the Korean War she traveled entertaining the troops and in 1960 made her Carnegie Hall debut. Ruth became the first artist to perform popular music at the Metropolitan Opera and in 1973 made a much praised return trip to Carnegie Hall; heard throughout the Western Hemisphere and Europe she was always called upon for her signature pieces "Arriba, Corazones!" ("Lift Up Your Hearts!") and especially "Gracias, Mundo" ("Thank You, World"). Looked up to in her homeland she was elected to the Puerto Rican Senate in 1972 and remained there until 1981. She continued performing into advanced years and died of septicemia complicated by a number of chronic problems. At her death several of her records remained in print. An advocate of continued ties with the United States during her political career she said: "Go to any Latin American country. Who is the most advanced in education, health? Puerto Rico. You don't change what is good".
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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