Emilio Estefan Jr. Biography

Fast Facts

• Was selected to join President George W․ Bush's Committee on the Arts and Humanities in 2002 and later invited to join the committee responsible for creating the first National Museum of the American Latino by President Barack Obama
• In total, he has been nominated for more than 30 Grammy Awards, 19 of which he has won
• Has been married to singer Gloria Estefan, nee Fajardo, for nearly forty years, whom he met at a Miami Latin Boys event and recruited to join the Miami Sound Machine
• The Miami Sound Machine had a number of hit songs during the 1980s, including the popular "Rhythm is Gonna Get You․"
• Began his music career playing in restaurants and at special events, primarily weddings
• Found early success as the founder of the Miami Sound Machine, known as the Miami Latin Boys before Gloria Fajardo joined the band
• Quote: "I can say, very respectfully, that I understand both the Latino and Anglo cultures․ I know how they feel and what moves them and it is working in that gap that has enabled me to create my body of work․"
• Has been influential in the success of other Latino superstars, including Marc Antony, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez, as well as his wife, Gloria Estefan
• Best known as a musician, businessman, and producer of Spanish-language artists
• The first instrument he learned was the accordion