By Mark Kennedy -
The Associated Press
Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actress who earned 10 Tony Award nominations — and won twice — in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina performers and survived a near-fatal car accident, has died this Tuesday.
She was 91 years old.
Rivera's death was announced by his daughter, Lisa Mordente, who said he died in New York after a brief illness.
The singer and actress Chita Rivera has died at the age of 91. Evan Agostini / Invision
Rivera first became known in 1957 as Anita in the original production of
West Side Story
and was still dancing on Broadway with her characteristic energy half a century later in 2015's
The Visit
.
“I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't moving or telling you a story or singing a song,” he told The Associated Press at the time.
“That's the spirit of my life, and I'm really very fortunate to be able to do what I love, even at this point in my life.”
In August 2009, Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the United States can bestow on a civilian.
Rivera placed his hand over her heart and shook his head in amazement as President Barack Obama presented him with the medal.
In 2013, she was the marshal of the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York.