IPRAC Hosts A Recognition Luncheon/Press Conference for the “Queen of Latin Rhythm” Marquita Rivera - In Celebration of her 90th Birthday

Marquita Rivera

On May 18, 2012, the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC) hosted a luncheon to honor Marquita Rivera, on the occasion of her 90th birthday with the Antonio Martorell Award for Artistic Excellence, as well as a Chicago City Council resolution, introduced by Alderman Roberto Maldonado, proclaiming her as an icon and legend that we share with the world and as the representative of our collective spirit and the embodiment of our people.  The resolution and award was received by her son, Eugene Biscardi, who will fly in from Los Angeles to partake in this occasion, as well as to share a few clips of her many film appearances.  

Marquita Rivera was born on May 18, 1922 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.  Marquita was at an early age when her family moved to New York City where her musical talents soon blossomed.  One outstanding moment in her life was that at the age of sixteen, Marquita was chosen to dance before Britain’s King George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, during their visit to the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Singer, actress, castanet player, flamenco dancer - all of these facets and more made up the lovely and talented “Latin Hurricane” Marquita Rivera, a pioneering musical performer in her time and a legend in ours.

Rivera is considered an historic actress and entertainer that had planted the flag of Puerto Rico as a dancer on Broadway, as an actress in Mexico, and as the first actress from Puerto Rico to appear in a major Hollywood motion picture.

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