Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer/songwriter known for her hit “The Girl From Ipanema,” has died. She was 83.
Videos by American Songwriter
Family friend and musician Paul Ricci confirmed the news. The guitarist said Gilberto’s son Marcelo permitted him to announce the death. The songstress, with the recognizable soft voice, passed away on Monday, June 5.
“I just got word from her son Marcelo that we have lost Astrud Gilberto,” wrote Ricci on Facebook. “He asked for this to be posted. 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.”
Ricci did not reveal the cause of death or any additional information.
Gilberto’s granddaughter also turned to social media to pay tribute to the hitmaker. Her legacy was documented in a touching slideshow that displayed her prolific music career.
“I’m here to bring you the sad news that my grandmother became a star today and is next to my grandfather João Gilberto,” said Sofia, Gilberto’s granddaughter in Portuguese. “Astrud was the true girl who took bossa nova from Ipanema to the world. It was the pioneer and the best.
“At the age 22, she gave voice to the English version of ‘Girl from Ipanema’ and gained international fame. The song, a bossa nova anthem, became the second most played in the world mainly because of her. I love and will love Astrud forever. She was the face and voice of bossa nova in most parts of the planet. Astrud will forever be in our hearts, and right now we have to celebrate.”
Gilberto was propelled into the music scene in 1960, which was the start of her four-decade recording career. She became an international sensation for her legendary rendition of “The Girl from Ipanema,” a track composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.
In 1965, the vocalist scored a Grammy Award for Record of the Year for her vocal performance on the Stan Getz and João Gilberto recording of “The Girl from Ipanema.” The hit also won Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
The icon released eight English-Portuguese albums throughout her successful career. Some of her beloved collections include – The Astrud Gilberto Album (1965), Beach Samba (1967), Look to the Rainbow (1966), and more. She also worked alongside notable names such as George Michael, James Last, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Getz, and Gil Evans.
In 2002, the songbird stepped away from the music business and dedicated her livelihood to animal activism and the visual arts. She was the youngest of three sisters and tied the knot to esteemed artist and collaborator João Gilberto, who died in 2019. The musicians welcomed their son, Marcelo Gilberto together.
Gilberto is survived by another son named Gregory Lasorsa from her second marriage to Nicholas Lasorsa and two granddaughters.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
