1. Marquita Rivera was the youngest in a family of twelve, one of five daughters and seven sons.
12 Facts About Marquita Rivera
1. 2.
At six-years-old, Marquita Rivera originally studied dance and flamenco with Eduardo Cansino, Rita Hayworth's father, and Hayworth gave Marquita Rivera a set of castanets as a gift.
3.
Marquita Rivera next performed at the 1939 New York World's Fair with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth attending during their respective royal visits, something she considered the highlight of her nascent career.
4.
Marquita Rivera toured Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia in bands headed by Paul Whiteman and Noro Morales.
5.
Marquita Rivera put together her own show and performed at the Latin Quarter and Havana-Madrid in New York.
6.
Marquita Rivera was a marquee name back in her homeland where she entertained at venues such as Zero's Nightclub and El San Juan Theatre.
7.
Marquita Rivera acted for director Fernando Soler in Me persigue una mujer with Jose Torvay and David Silva, and in the comedy El Conquistador, starring Torvay and Enrique Herrera.
8.
Marquita Rivera continued to work in "hot spots" such as the famous Ciro's nightclub with Desi Arnaz's band.
9.
In 1948, Marquita Rivera was honored with the Key to the City of San Juan by Mayor Felisa Rincon de Gautier for her achievements on Broadway, Mexico, and in Hollywood.
10.
In May 2012, Marquita Rivera was honored in Chicago, Ill with the Antonio Martorell Award for Artistic Excellence on her 90th birthday, her son attended.
11.
On October 21,2002, Marquita Rivera died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California following a stroke.
12.
Marquita Rivera was survived by her seven children, as well as 17 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.