Chita Rivera was an American actress, singer, and dancer, garnered significant recognition throughout her career, earning accolades such as two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Drama League Award.
Bio/Wiki
Age-91 years
Full name-Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson
Height-1.6 m
Weight-65kg
Born-23 January 1933
Birthplace-Washington, D.C., United States
Died- 30 January 2024
Spouse-Tony Mordente (m. 1957–1966)
Profession-American actress and singer
Nationality-American
Family
Rivera’s parents were Katherine (Anderson) and Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero. Her father served as a clarinetist and saxophonist for the U.S. Navy Band, while her mother worked as a government clerk. Rivera grew up in a family of five children.
Husband
Chita Rivera married Tony Mordente on December 1, 1957. In West Side Story, Mordente was a fellow dancer. In 1966, they divorced.
Children
Chita Rivera welcomed her daughter, Lisa Mordente, in 1958.
Career
At the age of 15, Chita Rivera’s journey into the world of dance took a significant turn when a teacher from George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet visited her studio. Out of all the students, Rivera was chosen, along with one other, to audition in New York City. Doris Jones, a key figure at the Jones-Haywood School, accompanied her to the audition. Rivera’s talent shone brightly, leading to her acceptance into the prestigious school with a scholarship.
From her Broadway debut as a dancer in Guys and Dolls in 1950, Rivera embarked on a remarkable career, originating iconic roles in musical theater, including Anita in West Side Story (1957), Velma Kelly in Chicago (1975), and the title role in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993). Her talent earned her ten Tony Award nominations, with wins for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in The Rink (1984) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993).
Beyond the stage, Rivera made notable appearances in film and television, starring in Sweet Charity (1969), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), and Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021). She also graced the small screen, notably in The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1973–1974), The Judy Garland Show (1963), The Carol Burnett Show (1971), and Will & Grace (2005).
In 2023, Rivera shared her extraordinary life story with the world through her autobiography, “Chita: A Memoir.”
Net Worth
At the time of her death, Chita Rivera’s net worth was estimated to be $4 million.
Cause of death
Chita Rivera, one of Broadway’s most legendary figures, passed away at the age of 91. Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, confirmed her death on Tuesday in New York, citing a brief illness as the cause. Rivera, renowned for her exceptional talent as a singer, actress, and dancer, graced the stage in iconic productions like West Side Story and Chicago.
Her close friend and publicist, Merle Frimark, conveyed the news on Tuesday, stating, “It is with great sadness that Lisa Mordente, announces the death of her beloved mother who passed away peacefully in New York.
