Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

Virginia López

US Singer of Puerto Rican descent, nicknamed "La Voz de la Ternura" Born: November 29, 1928, New York, USA Died: February 3, 2024, San Juan, Puerto Rico Virginia López was a celebrated US singer known for her tender voice and emotive boleros. She was a significant figure in the music scene, particularly in the 1950s. Born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, she embarked on a singing career that would span continents and decades, leaving an indelible mark on the genre of bolero music. Starting her career in the early 1950s, López quickly made a name for herself with her first recordings, captivating audiences with her soulful interpretations of romantic ballads. Her international breakthrough came with hits like "Tan lejos" and "Cariñito Azucarado," which solidified her status as a bolero icon. López's music reached audiences far beyond the United States, with her popularity soaring in Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and even Japan. In 1957, López's career took her to Mexico, a country that embraced her as one of its own. There, she recorded with RCA Records, producing timeless tracks such as "Osito de Felpa," "Por Equivocación," and "Te odio y te quiero." It was also in Mexico where she met her husband, Charlie López, with whom she shared not only a personal life but a deep musical connection. Throughout her illustrious career, López received numerous accolades, including the Discómetro de Oro in Mexico and the award at the Festival de Codazos in Puerto Rico. Despite taking a hiatus from music in the 1960s, she made a triumphant return in the 1970s with a performance in Mexico that reminded the world of her unmatched talent and enduring appeal.