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Chita Rivera has passed away at age 91.FilmMagic
Chita Rivera — the Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, singer and dancer — died at age 91 on Tuesday.
“It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91,” her rep Merle Frimark said in a statement on Tuesday, per People.
Rivera’s daughter, Lisa Mordente, said in a statement her mom died in New York “after a brief illness.”
“She is also survived by her siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero, (her older sister Carmen predeceased her), along with her many nieces, nephews and friends,” the statement continued.
The family said Rivera’s funeral will “be private,” however, a memorial service “will be announced in due course.”
Her daughter, Lisa Mordente, said in a statement that her mom died on Tuesday “after a brief illness.” FilmMagic
They have asked for any donations in her memory to be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Rivera’s career skyrocketed when she derived the role of Anita in “West Side Story” in 1957.
She then followed that role with the Broadway productions of “Bye Bye Birdie” — which drew her first Tony nomination — and “Bajour.”
Rivera’s career skyrocketed when she derived the role of Anita in “West Side Story” in 1957. Corbis via Getty Images
She also starred in productions of “Threepenny Opera,” “The Rose Tattoo,” “Born Yesterday,” “Sweet Charity” and “Kiss Me Kate.”
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Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast Subscribe to our daily newsletter Shop our exclusive merchIn 1986, Rivera suffered a blow to her dancing career when she was injured during a car crash when a taxi collided with her car in Manhattan.
Her left leg was broken in a dozen places and she had to undergo two surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
While the injury would have been career-ending for many, Rivera worked her way back into dancing nearly a year after the accident.
This post is being updated.
