LATIN

Legendary Spanish Singer Maria Dolores Pradera Dead at 93

5/29/2018 by Leila Cobo

Gianni Ferrari/Cover/Getty Images
Maria Dolores Pradera photographed in Madrid, Spain in 1985.

Maria Dolores Pradera was known for her classic renditions of Latin standards.

María Dolores Pradera, the Spanish actress and singer known for her deep voice and her memorable renditions of Latin and Spanish standards like “Procuro olvidarte,” “Ojalá que te vaya bonito” and “La flor de la canela,” died this morning (May 29) in her native Madrid. She was 93 years old.

An elegant woman of classic beauty, known for her theatrical renditions of songs, Pradera remained relevant for decades, performing actively until she was almost 90 years old. And although she was a Spaniard through and through, Pradera gained international fame thanks to her readings of Latin standards -- from Peruvian waltzes to Mexican rancheras -- that also made her a beloved figure in Latin America.

Her last album, a duet set titled Gracias a vosotro (Thanks to You), was released in 2012 and included duets with the likes of Joan Manuel Serrat, Joaquín Sabina, Ana Belén, Diego El Cigala, Miguel Poveda and Pablo Alborán. The latter, only 28 years old, posted a video with Pradera released in 2013 as part of “Gracias a vosotros,” when she was close to 90 years old.

“Rest in peace, maestra. Thanks for so much,” wrote Alborán, one of Spain’s leading young acts. Many others have taken to Twitter to remember Pradera, too. “Let that bolero she sang keep playing forever,” Alejandro Sanz wrote. “En entire life giving truth. We will miss you,” popstar Malú wrote.

Watch Pradera sing “La flor de la canela," a composition by Chabuca la Grande, in a performance from the 1980s.