Brazilian music icon Astrud Gilberto passes away at 80

Renowned Brazilian singer, Astrud Gilberto, who shot to global fame in her 20s with her rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema," has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by her son and granddaughter on social media. The exact cause of her demise is yet to be disclosed.

Gilberto's granddaughter Sofia shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram page about her grandmother's passing. She praised Astrud for being the trailblazer who introduced Bossa Nova to the world from its roots in Ipanema. Another close associate of Gilberto, Paul Ricci, also received a message from his son Marcelo, who played the bass with his mother during the early eighties.

"We have received news from Astrud Gilberto's son Marcelo that she has passed away. As an integral part of Brazilian music worldwide, she had a profound impact on numerous individuals with her vibrant spirit. The "chief," as she fondly referred to me, expresses his condolences. Gilberto, who hailed from Rio de Janeiro, moved to the United States during the early 1960s, as per her official website."

Stan Getz (left) and Astrud Gilberto in a scene from the film "Get Yourself A College Girl," 1964.

She was asked to join her then-husband João Gilberto and Stan Getz for the recording of their album in 1963. Despite it being an unrehearsed and unexpected moment for Gilberto, she sang a short verse in English, catapulting her to global fame. The album received four Grammy awards, further cementing her superstar status.

Throughout her career, Gilberto's music was widely admired and covered by numerous music legends, including Eartha Kitt, Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Amy Winehouse. Over the years, she released an impressive collection of at least 16 original albums, dating back to her debut in 1964 with "Getz Au Go Go." Additionally, Gilberto contributed to the soundtrack of the 1965 film "The Deadly Affair," where her music was arranged by none other than Quincy Jones.

During the 1970s, Gilberto gained recognition for her songwriting abilities and went on to release two albums: "Astrud Gilberto Now" in 1972 and "That Girl From Ipanema" in 1977. The latter album featured a duet with renowned jazz musician Chet Baker on the track "Far Away." Gilberto's career continued to flourish in the 1980s and '90s as she formed a sextet with a variety of musicians, including her son Marcelo on Bass, and embarked on global tours. In 1987, she received critical acclaim for her album "Astrud Gilberto Plus the James Last Orchestra."

Partnering with English singer-songwriter George Michael, one of the best-selling musicians in history, Gilberto once again gained global recognition. Their collaboration on the duet "Desafinado" in 1996 exposed the bossa nova genre to a wider, pop music-loving audience, solidifying Gilberto's place in music history. In 2002, Gilberto released her final album titled "Jungle," and that same year, she was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. The Latin Recording Academy also recognized her contributions to music in 2008, awarding her with a Lifetime Achievement award.

"Astrud will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as the hearts of many around the world. She embodied the essence of bossa nova through her captivating voice and timeless presence," expressed Sofia, Gilberto's granddaughter, in a statement released on Tuesday. "Her memory and influence will continue to live on."