The family of legendary Brazilian bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto has confirmed her death at the age of 83.
The news was announced on Instagram by Gilberto's granddaughter Sofia, a musician in her own right.
"I'm here to bring you the sad news that my grandmother became a star today, and is next to my grandfather João Gilberto," she wrote in Portuguese.
Gilberto became famous for singing the original English translation of the song "The Girl From Ipanema," which became a worldwide hit in the 1960s and sold more than 5 million copies. She was only 22 years old when the song was first released to the world.
"She was a pioneer and the best," Astrud's granddaughter added.
The news was also confirmed by Paul Ricci, a New York-based guitarist who collaborated with Gilberto.
"I just got word from her son Marcelo that we have lost Astrud Gilberto," he wrote on Facebook. "She was an important part of ALL that is Brazilian music in the world and she changed many lives with her energy. RIP from 'the chief', as she called me. Thanks, AG."
Rise to Stardom
Born Astrud Evangelina Weinert in Bahia, the German-blooded Brazilian moved to Rio de Janeiro at an early age to pursue a career in music. It was there when she eventually met and married her first husband, João Gilberto, one of the pillars of Brazilian bossa nova.
When "The Girl From Ipanema" was being produced, Astrud shyly volunteered to sing when João and jazz legend Stan Getz were looking for a vocalist to do so.
Initially, she went uncredited for singing the track and only received the standard $120 session fee for her performance. However, her decision to sing the song became her springboard to a successful solo career.
Gilberto's personification of "The Girl From Ipanema" became a legend that countless covers were released ever since, from Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole to Madonna and Amy Winehouse.
Astrud's Struggle Against Misogyny
In a 2022 interview with The Independent, Gilberto's son Marcelo claimed his mother struggled with the objectification she received from the press and misogynist remarks from the public during the 1960s.
She also recalled how several people claimed responsibility for her musical success, with Getz claiming he rescued her from being a "housewife."
"Nothing is further from the truth," she wrote on her website in the early 2000s. "I suppose I should feel flattered by the importance that they lend to this, but I can't help but to feel annoyed at the fact that they resorted to lying!"
Other Works
Gilberto's solo musical career in the 1970s included her writing her own songs, as showcased on albums such as Astrud Gilberto Now and That Girl From Ipanema.
In addition to singing, Gilberto acted in several films like "The Hanged Man" and "Get Yourself a College Girl." She also worked with Quincy Jones to record the soundtrack for "The Deadly Affair."
She and her son also formed a bossa nova band in the 1980s. They toured the world but largely avoided playing in Brazil because of past experiences with the Brazilian press.
"Brazil turned its back on her," Marcelo told The Independent. "She achieved fame abroad at a time when this was considered treasonous by the press."
She recorded her final album called "Jungle" in 2002 before announcing an indefinite hiatus from public performances.
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