Gloria Estefan Quotes (195 quotes) | Quotes of famous people

Estefan's response to people who say, "Here goes another celebrity using her name to get published." The New York Daily News (October 30, 2005)
2007, 2008

“What we didn't want to do [with "90 Millas] was "Mi Tierra, Part 2," because that album was so special. Yes, we wanted to do a Cuban album, but didn't know exactly in what vein. And, as it grew, it grew into a more modern thing. It was if we had continued to bring this music along with the years.”

Gloria Estefan

Reuters (July 23, 2007)
2007, 2008

“[I] grew up in this city [Miami], and my music is a blend of two cultures. In the beginning it was heavily Cuban. At this point it's [from] all over...”

Gloria Estefan

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (February 4, 2007)
2007, 2008

“My mother, my dad and I left Cuba when I was two [January, 1959]. Castro had taken control by then, and life for many ordinary people had become very difficult. My dad had worked [as a personal bodyguard for the wife of Cuban president Batista], so he was a marked man. We moved to Miami, which is about as close to Cuba as you can get without being there. It's a Cuba-centric society. I think a lot of Cubans moved to the US thinking everything would be perfect. Personally, I have to say that those early years were not particularly happy. A lot of people didn't want us around, and I can remember seeing signs that said: "No children. No pets. No Cubans." Things were not made easier by the fact that Dad had begun working for the US government. At the time he couldn't really tell us what he was doing, because it was some sort of top-secret operation. He just said he wanted to fight against what was happening back at home. [Estefan's father was one of the many Cuban exiles taking part in the ill-fated, anti-Castro Bay of Pigs invasion to overthrow dictator Fidel Castro. ] One night, Dad disappered. I think he was so worried about telling my mother he was going that he just left her a note. There were rumours something was happening back home, but we didn't really know where Dad had gone. It was a scary time for many Cubans. A lot of men were involved -- lots of families were left without sons and fathers. By the time we found out what my dad had been doing, the attempted coup had taken place, on April 17, 1961. Intitially he'd been training in Central America, but after the coup attempt he was captured and spent the next wo years as a political prisoner in Cuba. That was probably the worst time for my mother and me. Not knowing what was going to happen to Dad. I was only a kid, but I had worked out where my dad was. My mother was trying to keep it a secret, so she used to tell me Dad was on a farm. Of course, I thought that she didn't know what had really happened to him, so I used to keep up the pretence that Dad really was working on a farm. We used to do this whole pretending thing every day, trying to protect each other. Those two years had a terrible effect on my mother. She was very nervous, just going from church to church. Always carrying her rosary beads, praying her little heart out. She had her religion, and I had my music. Music was in our family. My mother was a singer, and on my father's side there was a violinist and a pianist. My grandmother was a poet.”

Gloria Estefan

The [London] Sunday Times (November 17, 2006)
2007, 2008

Gloria Estefan Quotes about life

“Why be afraid if I'm not alone? Though life is never easy, the rest is unknown. Up to now, for me, it's been hands aginst stone. Spent each and ev'ry moment, Searching for what to believe. Coming out of the dark, I finally see the light now. And it's shining on me. Coming out of the dark, I know the love that saved me, You're sharing with me. Starting again is part of the plan. And I'll be so much stronger holding your hand. Step by step I'll make it through; I know I can. It may not make it easier, But I have felt you near all the way... Forever and ever, I stand on the rock of your love. Love is all it takes, no matter what we face.”

Gloria Estefan

Coming Out of the Dark
2007, 2008

“I have had a life in which I have had to face every big fear, and it has not been pleasant.”

Gloria Estefan

cubanet.org (May 15, 2000)
2007, 2008

“For the rest of my life, the one song that people will remember -- regardless -- is "Conga"... I never get tired of singing it. It never gets old for me.”

Gloria Estefan

iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
2007, 2008

“It's a dream for any artist to have a catalogue of music that would be considered his greatest hits. For me, as a singer and songwriter, to release a collection of music that spans over two decades of my life and career is especially meaningful. Those songs represtent a life in progress. As it is with any life, people and experiences become a part of one's creations and helped give birth to twenty-four albums. I would like to dedicate this body of work -- especially "Nayib's Song" and "Along Came You" -- to my two beautiful children who inspired those songs and who inspire me on a daily basis, and whom I consider my best works to date. I owe a great deal of gratitude to all of my fans who have ridden this incredible rollercoaster of life with me and who are the reason I have tried to remain true to the gift I have been granted: that of making music. And although it's very difficult to decide what is truly essential, you can be sure that what is in this collection is what you -- the fans across the world -- made into hits. And for that, I will be eternally thankful.”

Gloria Estefan

comment on gloriaestefan.com on release of 2-CD "The Essential Gloria Estefan" (October 4, 2006)
2007, 2008

“Who is Gloria Estefan today? I'm very fulfilled as a woman. I've been able to have a wonderful family life, a fantastic career. I have a lot of good friends around me. My family has been my grounding point, and rooted me deeply to the earth... I'm very happy. I've done everything I ever wanted to do. The key to me was -- I told my husband when we were in our 20s -- I'm going to work really hard, so one day I won't have to work so hard. And to me what that was, was having choices. And I do have choices now -- and I have take full advantage of that. It's important for me now to be here for my little girl [Emily, age 12]. My son is full grown -- and I know have quickly that goes. So, I'm balancing being a mother -- which to me is the most important role I have on this earth -- and still being creative, writing -- which is what I love to do. So, I've been able to branch out into not just writing songs like you have heard through the years -- but writing children's books, writing a screenplay. But at my core that's what I am: a writer. And that's what I enjoy doing behind the scenes: writing the songs for albums, recording it. And that's why you have seen me take more of a back seat to being the center of attention, and being out on tour and doing that kind of thing. I've stepped up a lot of my charity work. This year, the five concerts I did were all for charity: different ones and my own foundation. So, that's becoming a bigger and bigger part of my life -- as I wanted it to be. And [I keep] just growing and evolving.”

Gloria Estefan

iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
2007

“It has always been my dream in life to help as many people as possible. That dream and many more have come true for me and my family, and I find my greatest rewards come from sharing what I have received with others. Emilio and I established this foundation to expand our charitale work in an effort ot help those less fortunate. Our focus with the foundation has always been to help the many inidividuals whose challenges have fallen through the cracks of the traditional charitable organizations.”

Gloria Estefan

announcment of February 9, 2007, fundraising gala benefit, including a dinner and concert at the Estefans' residence on Star Island, near Miami, Florida, for the Brain Institute at Miami Children's Hospital (cbs4.com January 16, 2007)
2007, 2008

Gloria Estefan: Trending quotes

“Till I had you I didn't know that I was missing out. Had to grow up and see the world through different shades of doubt. Give me one more chance to dream again. One more chance to feel again through your young heart. If only for one day let me try. I wanna see Christmas through your eyes. I want everything to be the way it used to be. Back to being a child again, thinking the world was mine... I see the rain, you see the rainbow hiding in the clouds. Never afraid to let your love show. Won't you show me how. Wanna learn how to believe again. Find the innocence in me again, through your young heart. Help me find a way, help me try. I wanna see Christmas through your eyes. I want everything to be the way it used to be. Back to being a child again, thinking the world was kind. I wanna see Christmas, Christmas through your eyes.”

Gloria Estefan

Christmas Through Your Eyes
2007, 2008

Love , World , Dreams , Way

“A woman's exterior beauty is a reflection of her internal peace and happiness.”

Gloria Estefan

www.beautyblabber.com (July 31, 2007)
2007, 2008

Peace , Beauty , Happiness

“Well, not so much politics. A couple of my songs have a social commentary, like Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Voice). I really can't escape from politics because my father was a political prisoner in Cuba; he went to Vietnam. But I try to stay away from politics as much as possible.”

Gloria Estefan

answer to question "Do you inject politics into your music?" www.philpost.com (November 25, 2006)
2007, 2008

Gloria Estefan Quotes

“We took portable showers, Pampers and clothes for kids [in a Hurricane Katrina shelter]. I sang for them and played the guitar... At least for a little while, they saw that someone wasn't forgetting them. It lifted their spirits, and I knew they were a little more comfortable when we left.”

Gloria Estefan

greenbaypressgazette.com (October 5, 2005)
2007, 2008

Clothes , Forgetting

“I make the best pancakes you'll ever have! And I claim that title gladly. On Saturdays I make them for everybody.”

Gloria Estefan

Latina Magazine (September, 2007)
2007, 2008

“No fighting, Glorias! Gloria Estefan [the real one] to two female impersonators [Gloria #1 and Gloria #2]”

Gloria Estefan

The Evolution Tour: Live in Miami
2007, 2008

Fight

“I'm very excited about this wonderful opportunity to take part in the evolution of a company that is integral to the Hispanic community and a powerful force in all areas of the media.”

Gloria Estefan

statement issued regarding appointment to board of directors of Univision Communications, miamiherald.com (June 9, 2007)
2007, 2008

Communication , Parting

“We're lucky to call Miami and the United States home. What other city can claim to have its own foreign policy? Miami is many things, but it is never boring.”

Gloria Estefan

comment to audience while headlining concert to open Carnival Center for the Performing Arts www.miamiherald.com (October 6, 2006)
2007, 2008

Home

“More than anything I want to be able to go back to Cuba, to have a house to visit there, to know my roots. I lost my father as a little girl, and I want to be able to find him again in my heritage.”

Gloria Estefan

cubanet.org (May 15, 2000)
2007, 2008

Girl , Housing

“[After the 1990 bus accident] I could not feel my legs, and I knew that I was paralysed. For me, this was a premonition of my worst fate proved right. When I was a child, I always ran up the stairs two at a time, and when I reached the top I would say to myself, one day I won't be able to do this because like my father I will lose the use of my body. Now I knew it had happened. For months afterwards I was locked back in myself, just as I had been when I was a child. But also part of my premonition had always been, strangely, that I would lose my body but in the end it would be all right.”

Gloria Estefan

cubanet.org (May 15, 2000}
2007, 2008

Fate , Feeling , Time , Parting

“A lot of the people who live here [Miami] are island people -- from Cuba, Haiti. People are very vibrant, and color is important living here. You're inspired every day by the sun, the sky, the landscape, the lushness. [Artist Romero Britto's] painting and artwork reflect that.”

Gloria Estefan

www.nytimes.com (February 2, 2007)
2007, 2008

People , Color , Sun , Painting

“My favorite process is writing, from day one. The songs I have written throughout the years were a real great opportunity for me to communicate, because I think tha'ts my prime objective on this planet.”

Gloria Estefan

Associated Press interview (November 3, 2006)
2007, 2008

Communication , Thinking

“I'd like them to see that those things that set us apart or make us different can be wonderful contributions to the world around us. I'd like them to see that size and color are irrelevant to the dreams we envision for ourselves. And I'd also love for them to see that life is a journey, and every step of the way, we can learn something and become stronger and wiser.”

Gloria Estefan

answer to what she would like young readers to take away after reading her first children's book -- quote from Latina Magazine (October 2005)
2007, 2008

Love , Life , World , Dreams

“I had gone to Miami Children's [Hospital] to do a book reading for my "Noelle" book, and they [staff at The Brain Institute] introduced me to this project that they had. And it so beautifully coincides with my spinal cord research -- my Miami Project [to cure spinal paralysis] pet charity -- because, as you know, I was paralyzed and in a wheelchair. So, I want to be there for that cure. It makes me happy. I really feel privileged to be of service. From the day I can remember, you know -- as far back as I can remember in my memory --I wished to be of service in some way.”

Gloria Estefan

cbs4.com (February 9, 2007)
2007, 2008

Children , Books , Way , Feeling

“Having experience paralysis firsthand -- sixteen years ago -- I feel especially fortunate to have had a positive outcome despite a very negative prognosis. I vowed that I would do whatever was in my power to assist those already on their way to finding a cure. I urge anyone in a position to help to join us in taking on this challenge, knowing that we are closer than ever to a cure and to helping those that live in wheelchairs to "get on their feet."”

Gloria Estefan

comment at ceremony to honor million dollar donation from Gloria and Emilio Estefan to The Miammi Project to Cure Paralysis Human Clinical Trials Program
2007, 2008

Way , Feeling , Help

“I was 16 months old when I left Cuba, so I really don't remember anything”

Gloria Estefan

about Cuba
"Roots of Rhythm" (1997 documentary film)
2007, 2008

“I like them in their natural state. They're lilke nuclear lemonades!”

Gloria Estefan

answer to question "mojitos -- plain or flavored?" Latina Magazine (September, 2007)
2007, 2008

Nature

“What happened is the music listener has become much more of a connoisseur and a king of his own destiny. You can no longer shove an album down their throats and say, 'Here's 15 songs, four of them are good, you know. Spend 20 dollars on this CD.' It's not going to happen. That's what has taken the music industry down.”

Gloria Estefan

thestrippodcast.com (September 9, 2006)
2007, 2008

Music

“Darling, you look like a religious icon there [in her high school graduation picture].”

Gloria Estefan

comment by Isaac, host of Style Network fashion program (December 15, 2006)
2007, 2008

School

“I totally animal-oriented. I've got nine dogs, eight birds, turtles, fish -- and I had wallabies at one point.”

Gloria Estefan

Reuters News Agency (October 10, 2005)
2007, 2008

Dogs , Bird , Fish , Animals

“[My forthcoming book features] Noelle's experience as a loveable, yet very unconventional looking dog, who must find her way through life in her new adopted home, feeling different and confronting a bevy of clustered animal cliques whose ultimate reluctance to include Noelle in their world is soon offset by Noelle's true, albeit hidden, beauty. [I hope it has] special resonance with the immigrant communities in the United States (primarily of Hispanic heritage) who may, like Noelle, feel they culturally do not, and will not, fit in with a culture so foreign from their own.”

Gloria Estefan

written statement on December 6, 2004
2007, 2008

Life , Books , World , Beauty

“If you say "90 miles" to any Cuban, they'll know exactly what it means. It's the stretch of water between Key West, which is the southernmost tip of the continental United States, and Cuba. And for any Cuban who cannot go back, it represents not just a physical distance, but a spiritual one. That's why in most of the songs there is the word "distancia." The idea was to take the nostalgia and the sounds that we started with on "Mi tierra,' which was meant to sound like it was made in a past era, and do the opposite. We moved forward to 2007, with the technological equipment we have today, and gave it a very vibrant sound.”

Gloria Estefan

Latina Magazine (September, 2007)
2007, 2008

Idea , Nostalgia , Water , Past

“"Noelle's Treasure Tale" [Estefan's second children's book] comes out October 10”

Gloria Estefan

2006
comment to audience at Zo's Summer Groove benefit concert (Miami, July 15, 2006)
2007, 2008

Children , Books

“All of us know the true meaning of freedom. Some of us appreciate it more than those who have been here for many generations.”

Gloria Estefan

www.orlandosentinel.com (July 5, 2007)
2007, 2008

Freedom

“Always. Difficulties happen and you get through them. When I say "no llores," it doesn't just mean literally crying; it means looking at the bad things in your life rather than the positive. I always think of Celia Cruz as an inspiration. So many times I saw her backstage and her knee was killing her and I had to help her up the steps, but she would step on that stage and nobody knew that she was hurting.”

Gloria Estefan

answer to question, "We love that your first single, "No Llores," is about living like there's no tomorrow. Has that always been your philosophy?" Latin Magazine (September, 2007)
2007, 2008

Life , Thinking , Time , Help

“As a writer, I see myself more as a communicator. For me, writing is the best part of my career.”

Gloria Estefan

"Billboard Magazine" (11 October 2003)
2007, 2008

Communication , Parting

“I wanted to talk to very young kids about self-image and about being different and how that can be your strength, especially from the immigrant perspective.”

Gloria Estefan

The Book Standard (4 June 2005)
2007, 2008

“The most beautiful things in this country have the flavor of other places. Chinese food. Pizza came from the Italians, but it's an American experience. French fries. There's always some other cultures involved. You don't have to be a hyphenated American, but you can certainly be an American who doesn't forget where they came from.”

Gloria Estefan

quoted in commentary on www.orlandosentinel.com (July 6, 2007)
2007, 2008

Food , Beauty , Country , Forgetting

“[The hardest thing about '90 Millas' was the concept of] combining the old and the new without losing the authenticity. The simple solution, of course, would have been to record covers. [But] emotionally it wouldn't have been the same We left Cuba as children: Gloria was 1, I was 14. So, there ia a part that does exist in nostalgia, but a the same [time] there is another part that is contemporary music that we've made all over the world.”

Gloria Estefan

Emilio Estefan, Reuters (July 23, 2007)
2007, 2008

Children , World , Music , Nostalgia

“My grandfather... was a commander in the Cuban army -- not just a Batista [General Fulgencio Batista y Zalduvar was Cuba's 19th president from October, 1938 until January, 1959)] -- but he was a career general there. And he had been through a few of the differenct presidents of Cuba... My father became a motorcycle officer. He was a good-looking guy, so he was chosen to be the first lady's [Mrs. Batista's] escort. So they were very close to the government when Batista came in power. And then immediately after [Castro seized power on January 1, 1959] [my father] joined the Bay of Pigs invasion to try to liberate Cuba... and he was a political prisoner for two years there”

Gloria Estefan

in Cuba
BBC radio interview [December 13, 2006]
2007, 2008

Guy

“I spent my childhood alone, overweight and ugly, angry at everything, and knowing nothing of a life beyond this sadness.”

Gloria Estefan

cubanet.org (May 15, 2000)
2007, 2008

Life , Sadness , Childhood

“'Live for Loving You' is a kind of song that really can live in many different genres. And, of course, when you do your live performances the first time that you perform a song you want to stay true to the record: because tha's what people want to hear, they want to hear the hit. But then after you have done it fifty thousand times and through many, many different tours, you start experimenting and doing stuff to surprise people. So, the cut that we are doing here for the "iTunes Orginal" is something that we love to do -- because we just took it and really broke it down to a Samba. You know, the Brazilians have an amazing edge -- percussively, I think -- they have amazing rhythms. And this song really fit that rhythm very nicely. So, we wanted to do it acoustically and really cool -- and like we've done many times on tour. Just break it down to just acoustic, no synths and things of that nature: just make it organic. And I love that song for that reason: because you could perform it with just a couple of bongos and some vocals if you had to. And it would still work.”

Gloria Estefan

iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
2007, 2008

Love , People , Nature , Thinking

“I had always thought about a lullaby album. But when Noelle came along, my little Colombian bulldog, she really gave me a plethora of ideas. I remembered when I was little in Texas and I was the only Hispanic in my class. Because the first book was about feelings, how Noelle's weaknesses turned into her strengths. That you have to keep your identity.”

Gloria Estefan

Reuters (November 17, 2006)
2007, 2008

Books , Feeling , Idea

“[She was the first pop singer to perform for a Pope. ] And a woman at that. Apparently Pope John Paul II and his boys -- is that what you call them? -- loved one of my songs and thought I was puting spiritual messages in my music. I'm not religious as such. Dogma and I don't get along. They knew all that, but the Pope was celebrating 50 years as a priest, and he asked for me. Quite an audience -- bishops, cardinals, a handful of nuns -- and me, covered from neck to ankles.”

Gloria Estefan

www.huffingtonpost.com (September 7, 2007)
2007, 2008

Love , Music , Boy

“Everything's funny for God's sake. Everything.”

Gloria Estefan

www.s-t.com (July 5, 1996)
2007, 2008

God

“Ever since I was a little girl, I felt that I wanted to be of service here on the earth: I felt that was my job somehow. And whatever I was going to do, I was going to find a way to do that. And so, as I got a larger audience -- a broader audience worldwide, and more and more people were listening to me -- it became important for me to share that thought. And the song "Get on Your Feet" -- which I didn't write, it was written actually by my guitar player, bass player and keyboardist... They knew how I felt. [They knew] what my thoughts were... So although it was written before my accident, it was thrown back at me so many times... But that really is my motto. I look always forward. I look ahead. And that's why I chose to record that song, because I really loved the message. Then "Coming Out of the Dark," which came on the heals of that accident and my rehab, and the incredible love that I felt from everyone worldwide that helped me through that difficult moment when I broke my back in 1990, is a big thank you to my fans -- and an expression of how ultimately we are here for each other to help one another. And the strength of prayer... That's why I say I know the love that saved me, you're sharing with me. We do have the power to save one another... And I wanted to thank everyone for being there for me.”

Gloria Estefan

iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
2007

Love , People , Way , Girl

“Sometimes one bad decision can mess up your life. We seal our fate with the choices we make. But don't give a second thought to the chances we take… Surely, you say, it's not as bad as you make it sound. If we make a mistake, you can always turn it back around. Get back on the straight and narrow -- When I'm through having all my fun... We seal our fate with the choices we make...”

Gloria Estefan

Seal Our Fate
2007, 2008

Life , Fate , Decision , Chance

“You know, I don't know about this "Diva thing," O. K. This "Diva thing" is getting a little out of hand, I think. I mean if anything, I'm a divette.”

Gloria Estefan

VH1 Divas Live
2007, 2008

Thinking

“When I wrote "Words Get in the Way" my husband and I had just had a horrendous argument.... [After it was an international hit] My husband said, "We have to have more arguments."”

Gloria Estefan

Gayle King XM satellite radio program (October 23, 2006)
2007, 2008

Way

“She [then nine-year-old daughter Emily] grew up with 'The Rhythm is Gonna Get You,' Well... It got her!”

Gloria Estefan

comment September 8, 2004, to concert audience in Washington, D.C. after Emily's drum solo
2007, 2008

Daughters

“This blend of musicians on '90 Millas' is historically significant on a number of levels. This is the first and quite possibly the last time that all of these legendary artists will play together on one CD.”

Gloria Estefan

orlandosentinel.com -- exerpt from Burgundy Records announcement of '90 Millas' (August 10, 2007)
2007, 2008

Time

“I overheard backstage... Did someone just auction off Emilio and me? That was scary!”

Gloria Estefan

comment to audience at "Miami Rocks for [Hurricane Katrina] Relief" concert on September 30, 2005
2007, 2008

“Those of you who speak only English, applaud [audience applause]. Those of you who speak only Spanish, applaud [audience applause]. [In mock incredulity] Then how do you know what I just said?”

Gloria Estefan

"trick" question at innumerable concerts— always with the same result
2007, 2008

“My home is my paradise. When I come home at night, I feel an overall peaceful sensation. We will never give this place up.”

Gloria Estefan

People en Espanol magazine (April, 2004)
2007, 2008

Peace , Feeling , Home , Night

“We [Emilio and I] have diversified: We run four restaurants, a hotel, a recording studio, a publishing company, and we have our corporate offices and a lot of other real estate.”

Gloria Estefan

Billboard Magazine (11 October 2003)
2007, 2008

“The last thing I wanted to do was put politics into my music... because music was my escape.”

Gloria Estefan

iTunes interview (released June 2, 2007)
2007, 2008

Music

“I tell him [husband Emilio] you are lucky I am not a jealous woman, because look at the women he's worked with: Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Thalia, Madonna. These very sexy women. I trust him.”

Gloria Estefan

Dutch television interview (March 1, 2007)
2007, 2008

Women

“And, because of the life that I shared with these two amazing women [her mother and maternal grandmother] and the hardships and struggles that I saw them overcome, I learned an invaluable lesson: and that is that women can do anything we set our minds to... and then some!”

Gloria Estefan

address to LULAC (July 1, 2005)
2007, 2008

Life , Women , Learning , Maternity

“Getting this caliber of musicians together [for "90 Millas" CD in September of 2007] is almost impossible to do again.”

Gloria Estefan

Emilio Estefan, Reuters (July 23, 2007)
2007, 2008

“I'm a writer and this is what I love to do. There's no reason that just because you're a celebrity, you can't write.”

Gloria Estefan

Reuters News Agency (October 10, 2005)
2007, 2008

Love

“I left Cuba when I was two years old. They took away my country, they stole the most intimate thing a human being can have. How could I forget that Fidel Castro was the person who did me so much harm?”

Gloria Estefan

"Exito (online newspaper)" (October 1997)
2007, 2008

Personality , Country , Forgetting

“In every interview I've done since the beginning, [I'm asked] 'How do you feel about opening doors?' And I always say, 'There are two men who opened the doors for all of us, and they were Feliciano and Santana.”

Gloria Estefan

Reuters (July 23, 2007)
2007, 2008

Men , Feeling

“Careful! We don't want anybody getting squished.”

Gloria Estefan

admonition to dozens of children aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt before reading from her first children's book, "The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog" www.dailypress.com (September 15, 2006)
2007, 2008