Today marks the 110th birthday of the famed Spanish Romani dancer Carmen Amaya, who is considered to be one of the greatest flamenco dancers of all time.
She is widely thought to have been born on November 2, 1913, in Barcelona, and her legacy still inspires countless people.
To mark the special occasion, Google has dedicated the day’s doodle to the dancer, leading many to want to know more about her life and work.
Here is a comprehensive look at who Carmen Amaya is, including her professional and personal life.
Who is Carmen Amaya?
Carmen Amaya was born to a Spanish Romani family in Barcelona.
Her birth date is a disputed topic, as some argue she was born in 1918 while others insist that she was born in 1913. Her death certificate, decided to note a date between both guesses: November 1, 1915.
Amaya’s father was a guitar player known as El Chino, meaning The Chinaman. He made a living by playing in pubs.
When Carmen was young, she started to join her father at his performances and began to dance to his father’s music to help the family earn money.
Soon, she started to appear at small theaters, which led to her being discovered by a businessman named Josep Santpere, who got her into more prestigious venues.
Eventually, Amaya made her debut at the Spanish Theatre in Barcelona and the rest was history.
From starring in films to performing in some of the biggest theatres in Europe, the dancer became an undeniable icon before long.
And, in 1929, Amaya dancers for the King of Spain XIII during the inauguration of the Barcelona International Exposition.
After the Spanish War started, the star and her troupe travelled to Lisbon before setting sail for Buenos Aires.
In Argentina and across Latin America, she continued her dancing and acting careers, with all her shows selling out. Then, she headed to the US, performing at Carnegie Hall, meeting President Roosevelt, and appearing in Hollywood movies.
Before she returned to Spain in 1947, Amaya spent some more time in other European countries, meeting the Queen in Britain and performing at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris.
When she returned to her home country, she had become a world-famous figure. In line with that, her career continued to thrive as she conquered the biggest theatres across Europe.
By 1963, Amaya had become terminally ill, with her kidney disease stopping her body from properly flushing out the toxins in her body. She passed away that year in Begur, Girona.
After her death, she was awarded the Medal of Merit of Tourism in Barcelona, the Lasso of the Lady of the Order of Isabel la Catolica award, and given the title of Adoptive Daughter of Begur.
Her personal life
In 1952, Amaya got married to the guitarist Juan Antonio Aguero, who was a member of her troupe.
Later, another Spanish flamenco guitarist within her troupe, Sabicas, confessed that he and Carmen dated for 9 years before they split up in Mexico.
