Astrud Gilberto, “Girl from Ipanema” Singer Who Helped Popularize Bossa Nova, Dies at 83

Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer best known for her smooth rendition of “The Girl from Ipanema,” has died at age 83.

Paul Ricci, family friend and musician, confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

“She was an important part of EVERYTHING that is Brazilian music in the world and changed many lives with her energy,” Ricci said Tuesday.

The vocalist’s granddaughter, Sofía Gilberto, also remembered her in an emotional post on instagram. “I love and will love Astrud forever, and she was the face and voice of bossa nova across most of the planet,” she wrote. “Astrud will always be in our hearts, and right now we have to celebrate Astrud.”

“He Girl from Ipanema”, Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, it was already a hit in South America in the 1960s, but it made its way to the US. joao gilberto and jazz legend Stan Getz, saw an opportunity to broaden its appeal by including English lyrics.

While recording, Astrud Gilberto was asked to sing some of the song’s lyrics in English because she knew “enough” of the language, the Associated Press reported.

The rest is history. Astrud Gilberto became an overnight sensation and helped popularize bossa nova throughout the world.

“The Girl from Ipanema” won a 1965 Grammy for Record of the Year and earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Vocal Performance. Gilberto was originally not credited on the track and only received the standard session fee of $120 for her performance, according to the BBC.

But Gilberto went on to work with artists and producers like Quincy Jones and George Michael. He has released several albums and released his latest, “Jungle”, in 2002.

She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Grammys in 2008.