Broadway Mourns as Legendary Chita Rivera of ‘West Side Story’ Passes Away at 91

The Broadway community mourns the loss of a true legend, Chita Rivera, who passed away at the age of 91.

The news of Rivera's death was confirmed through a statement issued by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, as reported by The New York Times.

Rivera's illustrious career spanned nearly seven decades, leaving a lasting mark on the world of theatre as an iconic singer, dancer, and actress.

Born in Washington, D.C., to a Puerto Rican father and a mother of Scottish and Italian descent, Rivera made history on the Broadway stage, originating memorable roles such as Anita in West Side Story (1957), Rose in Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Velma Kelly in Chicago (1975), and the Spider Woman in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993).

Her final Broadway appearance was in 2015 as Claire Zachannassian in The Visit.

Rivera's extraordinary talent earned her 10 Tony Award nominations throughout her career, tying her with Julie Harris for the most nominations by an actress. She secured two Tony wins in 1984 for The Rink and in 1993 for Kiss of the Spider Woman. In recognition of her immense contributions, Rivera received a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 2018.

Beyond Broadway, Rivera showcased her versatility with a 1964 appearance as Mrs. Dame on an episode of The Outer Limits titled "The Bellero Shield" and a recurring role as Connie Richardson in 1973 on The New Dick Van Dyke Show. In 2002, she became the first Latina to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, followed by the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.

Reflecting on the honor, Rivera shared, "I actually said to myself, 'Yes, that is my intention. Yes, I have worked all of these years. Yes, I do look forward to being an example for the future of our children.'" Chita Rivera's legacy lives on as a trailblazer who not only achieved greatness on the stage but also paved the way for generations to come.

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Broadway