Celia Cruz will be honored with a tribute performance at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music awards, Billboard and Telemundo announced on Tuesday (April 15). In honor of her centennial this year, the memorable Queen of Salsa — who was born in 1925 and died in 2003 due to a brain tumor — will also be recognized with the Legend Award.
The tribute, which will air Thursday (April 24) on Telemundo, will be helmed by three Puerto Rican powerhouses — reggaeton star Ivy Queen, salsa star La India and merengue star Olga Tañón — promising to bring “Celia’s most iconic hits to life, delivering a celebration that promises to be both electrifying and deeply moving,” according to a press release.
Known for timeless tropical tunes including “La Vida es un Carnaval,” “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” and “Rie y Llora” — and celebrated for her iconic shout “¡Azúcar!,” characteristic vivacity and statement-making attires — the late Cuban superstar is acknowledged as a cultural symbol and an influential vocalist in history, boasting nearly 40 albums.
Each of the tribute performers are Billboard Latin Women in Music honorees: Ivy received the Icon Award in 2023, La India was honored with the Pioneer Award in 2024 and Tañón will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award this year.
In addition to Cruz and Tañón, other 2025 honorees include Anitta (Vanguard Award), Belinda (Evolution Award), Chiquis (Impact Award), Ha*Ash (Unbreakable Award) and Natti Natasha (Unstoppable Award). The two-hour ceremony will be hosted by Mexican star Ana Bárbara.
Read Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 Executive List here.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. Central exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean onTelemundo Internacional.
