Myrta Blanca Silva Oliveros better known as Myrta Silva, was a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and television producer who was known affectionately as "La Gorda de Oro".
15 Facts About Myrta Silva
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Myrta Silva rose to fame in 1949 as the lead vocalist for the Cuban ensemble Sonora Matancera.
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Myrta Blanca Silva Oliveros was born in the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
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Myrta Silva's father died when she was six years old and she was raised by her mother, who was her inspiration.
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Myrta Silva was working in a cabaret when she was discovered and offered a 10-year contract by RCA.
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In 1941, aged 14, Myrta Silva composed her first song, "Cuando Vuelvas", recorded by Ruth Fernandez.
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Myrta Silva became the first woman certified as a timbalera by the American Federation of Music in 1943.
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Myrta Silva had become an international singing star and was known as "The Queen of the Guaracha" by her fans in Latin America.
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Myrta Silva received a good deal of recognition for her groups' performances throughout Latin America.
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In 1956, Myrta Silva produced and transmitted from New York a television program, Una Hora Contigo.
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The program was hugely popular among the Latino audience, prompting the station to add an additional weekly program hosted by Myrta Silva titled Tira y Tapate.
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In 1971, Myrta Silva returned to Puerto Rico with her television show Una Hora Contigo which this time was transmitted on Canal 11.
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Myrta Silva was active in many charities and she participated in many pro-Hispanic activities in the US.
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In 2016, Myrta Silva was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Myrta Silva died on December 2,1987, in Arecibo, aged 60 and was buried in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, Puerto Rico.