His daughters Olga and Lissette Álvarez announced the news of the death through a statement they posted on social networks on Saturday morning.
A statement sent to DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS reported that Chorens died of respiratory failure.
“It is with deep pain that we announce that our beloved mother Olga Chorens passed away yesterday at 6:45 p.m. at her home in the city of Miami surrounded by her loved ones. “Although we are saddened to have lost such a wonderful being, we will be grateful that God gave us a loving, talented and extraordinary mother,” Olguita and Lissette say in the release.
“Mum left us at 99 years and seven months; He would have been 100 years old on February 7th. It brings us peace to know that his fans, who have followed his legendary career of more than eight decades in music, television, radio and film with so much love, are with us at this very difficult time. Rest in peace, Mom… we know that you are finally reunited with Dad and that together they will continue to sing like the angels they already are,” the sisters’ letter from their mother continues say goodbye.
The story of Cuban music and television could not be told without mentioning the legacy of Olga Chorens, which is closely linked to the legacy of Tony Álvarez, who died in 2001.
Olga Chorens was born on February 7, 1924 in Havana and began her musical career at the age of 11. There were more than 80 years dedicated to an artistic life. During his long career he appeared in films including “Cuba Sings and Dances” (1951) and “Musical Romance” (1941).
She became famous for her appearance on the radio music show Ritmos del Plata, hosted by Tony Álvarez, who later became her life partner and with whom she founded the famous duo Olga y Tony.
One of the children’s songs that made them popular was El Ratoncito Miguel. Both were also part of the Río de la Plata Orchestra. Due to the good artistic collaboration and the sentimental connection between them, the duo was also called the happy couple or the ideal couple. Together they made several recordings with the record label RCA Victor and then Panart, as well as numerous international tours with which they conquered Latin American audiences.
“My nights without you, I am that one, I will adore you or Frenesí” are some of the songs that catapulted Olga Chorens. She remained active with a weekly radio show until the end of her life.
The couple also hosted the popular television program The Olga and Tony Show in 1951, where they introduced other artists and also performed.
Four years after the arrival of the Castro regime on the island, the couple, who never agreed with this ideology, emigrated to Mexico in 1963 and then settled for a time on Isla Verde in Puerto Rico, where they continued their careers and became radio and television idols. In the 1980s they traveled to Spain and later returned to Miami, where they settled permanently. They also lived in New York. Olga Chorens is considered the last surviving legend from the Golden Age of Cuban culture.
Before leaving Cuba, they made the difficult decision to send their daughters Olguita and Lissette to the United States as part of Operation Pedro Pan and met again in 1963.
Chorens is survived by his two daughters Olga Álvarez and Lissette Álvarez, singer and wife of Willy Chirino. He also left grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
For his part, Chirino dedicated a few words to the mother of his wife of 43 years.
“My mother-in-law left me… a true CALM OF CUBA! I will miss you very much. Now it’s up to you to fly high to meet your beloved Tony again and sing together again… “Let’s sing, let’s always sing, let’s sing, because when we sing we forget the misfortunes that Bitterness… we must forget,'” the artist expressed in the statement.
With an emotional post on Instagram, the musician also recalled his personality and the drive that set him apart.
“My mother-in-law was a woman with no filter, she never thought twice about telling anyone exactly how she felt, what I loved about her. In addition, she spoiled me, she brought me guava pastries, Cuban cookies or other sweets that he found. Until last Sunday he did his show on the radio in La Poderosa, something that I think could enter the Guinness Book of Records. With an impeccable career for more than 80 years and an enviable memory until yesterday, September 22, passing at the age of 99,” wrote Willy Chirino in the post, which he accompanied with a photo of Olga Chorens as she was young.
Omer Pardillo, executor of Celia Cruz, who was a personal friend and companion of Chorens, also expressed his feelings after the loss.
“Olga was a great artist, an eternal pride for all Cubans. Without a doubt, an era ends with its physical disappearance. As a Cuban-American, I will always be grateful to her for representing us in a worthy way and for being a great woman on and off the stage. Now we can say with certainty that the last representative of an era that only exists in memory has passed away. May God rest her in his glory,” Pardillo said.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 27 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 2987 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33135 from 3 p.m.; There will be a mass at 7 p.m. The services are open to anyone who would like to say goodbye to Olga Chorens.
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