Emilio Estefan, along with his wife, Gloria, are the next recipients of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. They represent two historic firsts, for this renowned prize. This will mark the first time it has been awarded to a married couple or to musicians of Hispanic descent.
The Gershwin Prize recognizes a living musical artist’s lifetime achievement in promoting music as a vehicle of entertainment, information, inspiration and cultural understanding. Previous recipients are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Smokey Robinson and Tony Bennett.
A 19-time Grammy Award winner, Emilio is a musician, songwriter, record and television producer, author, filmmaker and cultural ambassador but more than anything, he is a loving husband, a devoted father and a humble servant leader.
Additionally, Emilio has shaped the careers of a variety of musical talents, including: Shakira, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Jon Secada, Jennifer López and others. He has been inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame and named the first “Person of the Year” by the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
Estefan was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He was selected as the second vice chair to the Commission for the National Museum of the American Latino by President Barack Obama. President George W. Bush also appointed him as a member of the President’s Committee of the Arts and Humanities.
