Cesária Évora: The Queen of Morna - Cabo Verde (2025)

Cesária Évora, the barefoot diva, was the most internationally recognized singer in the history of Cape Verdean popular music. Throughout his career he has sold more than 8 million records worldwide.

She was known worldwide for singing morna, a traditional Cape Verdean musical genre characterized by a melancholic and romantic style, considered a symbol of the country’s identity.

Cesária Évora: The Queen of Morna - Cabo Verde (1)

Regarding this style of music, it’s important to say that on December 11, 2019, morna was officially recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

This recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a tribute to Cesária Évora and her tireless and important work to promote music and the appreciation of Cape Verde’s cultural heritage. In the country where she was born, she stands out as a symbol of culture.

All this recognition of the queen of morna is thanks to her perfect voice for interpreting morna.

With her unmistakable husky voice, Cesária Évora’s interpretations were thrilling, as she put all her feelings into her songs.

On stage, she had a strong presence and an unusual habit: singing barefoot. For this reason, she was nicknamed “the Barefoot Diva” and this became her trademark, symbolizing the simplicity and authenticity of her music.

She began singing professionally at the age of 40, and by the age of 47, Cesária had become an international star. With this recognition, she has stepped onto important international stages such as the Olympia in Paris and Carnegie Hall in New York.

Early Career

In the 1960s, Césaria Évora began singing in bars and hotels in Mindelo, performing mornas and coladeiras, traditional Cape Verdean musical genres. In the 1970s, he moved to Portugal, where his career began to gain momentum.

In 1988, she released her first international album, “La Diva aux Pieds Nus”, which introduced her to European audiences.

International Ascent
In the 1990s, his musical interpretations were a huge international success. Albums such as “Miss Perfumado” (1992) and “Cabo Verde” (1997) achieved global recognition. And his musical themes often dealt with longing, loss, love, everyday life in Cape Verde and the status of women.

In 2004, Cesária Évora won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album for “Voz d’Amor”, her ninth studio album released in 2003.

Greatest hit songs
One of Cesária Évora’s best-known songs is “Sodade”, followed by “Petit Pays”, a cheerful and nostalgic song about Cape Verde, a hymn to Cesária’s homeland.

One of the barefoot diva’s most successful songs is the morna entitled “Besame Mucho”, a cover version of the famous Mexican song, a sensual and passionate interpretation.

The song “Angola” is another Cesária song. This song is about the civil war in Angola, and is a powerful and moving plea for peace.

In the discography of the singer’s famous songs, we also have the warm “Mar Azul”, a beautiful song about the sea and an ode to the beauty and power of the ocean.

Recognition
Considered the greatest interpreter of morna of all time, Évora has been honored by several artists, including Caetano Veloso and Marisa Monte.

Then, in March 2022, the documentary Cesária Évora, about the life of the Cape Verdean singer, had its world premiere at the South by Southwest festival, becoming the first Portuguese feature film to appear in the official section of this American festival.

The film “Tchindas”, which pays tribute to his music, directed by Portuguese journalist Ana Sofia Fonseca, was premiered in Portugal during the opening day of the 2022 edition of the festival.

As for the books published about Cesaria, there are about five. The majority are by foreign writers from countries such as Portugal, France and Poland.

Of the various books published about the singer, Cesária Évora: A Voz de Cabo Verde, A Rainha dos Pés Descalços and Uma Vida em Canções are the ones that stand out the most.

Around the world, there are a few busts made in honor of the queen of morna. In Cape Verde, there is one on the island of Sal, at the island’s airport, and the other in São Vicente, in the city center.

In the cities of Paris, Rotterdam and Lisbon you can also find a bust of the singer, a symbolic and cultural representation that helps keep the memory of Cesária Évora alive.

Personal life

Cesária Évora was born on August 27, 1941 and had two children, Eduardo Évora and Fernanda Évora. The house where Cesaria lived has now become a kind of museum.

End of career
At the age of 70, Cesária Évora put an end to her long career in 2011. That same year, she died on December 17th from “acute cardiorespiratory failure and high heart rate”.

36 hours before her death, a Spanish journalist from the newspaper “Público” spoke to her at her home in Mindelo.

Legacy
Owner of a unique voice, an authentic personality and international recognition, Cesária Évora was an example of talent, perseverance and passion for music, leaving an invaluable legacy for future generations.

His contribution to popularizing morna and Cape Verdean culture around the world was extremely important. For this reason, she has become a defining icon of Cape Verdean music.

His songs will always continue to inspire and move music lovers all over the world. Cesária Évora’s legacy in music in Cape Verde and beyond is long-lasting and everlasting.

Cesária Évora: The Queen of Morna - Cabo Verde (2)
Cesária Évora: The Queen of Morna - Cabo Verde (2025)
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