Cesária Évora.

Born 27 Aug 1941 Mindelo

Died 17 Dec 2011 Mindelo

Citizenship Cape Verde

Would Be 84 yr If Living

7 min read

Reading time

1,288

Words

Jun 9, 2026

Published

Film credits

Awards

TL;DR

Cesária Évora, born August 27, 1941 in Mindelo, Cape Verde, won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album and was appointed Knight of the Legion of Honour. Known as the Barefoot Diva, she also acted in films such as Great Expectations 1998 and Underground 1995. Évora died on December 17, 2011 in Mindelo at age 70 from pulmonary failure.

Identity & family.

IDENTITY

Names, aliases, and relatives of Cesária Évora — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames Cise, The Barefoot Diva

Aliases Cesaria Evora

At a glance.

STATS

Cesária Évora by the numbers — life, work, and family.

70 Years lived

13 Film credits

5 Awards

Who was Cesária Évora?

BIOGRAPHY

Cesária Évora — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

In the port city of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, Cesária Évora was born on 27 August 1941 to Justino da Cruz and Joana, one of five children. Her childhood was immersed in the local music scene, and by her teens she was performing in bars and clubs, a path that defined her life.

Career

Cesária Évora appeared as herself in the French TV show Vivement Dimanche in 1998 and in Star Academy in 2001. She also composed music for film and television. She received multiple honors, including the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album and the Knight of the Legion of Honour.

Personal life

Cesária Évora was the mother of Eduardo, born August 5, 1959, and Fernanda, and grandmother of Adilson and Janete. She was known as the Barefoot Diva, a nickname reflecting her preference to perform without shoes. She was the daughter of Justino da Cruz and Joana, one of five children.

Legacy

Cesária Évora’s legacy includes her Grammy Award win and her appointment as Knight of the Legion of Honour. She is remembered as a leading voice of Cape Verdean music, bringing morna to international audiences. Posthumous honors include the Order of Cultural Merit from Brazil and multiple Kora Awards.

Filmography.

FILMS · 13

Browse the complete filmography of Cesária Évora — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

Vivement Dimanche

1998
TV

Le Monde Est à Vous

1987
TV

Star Academy

2001
TV

Victoires De La Musique

1985
TV

Zona+

1994
Movie

Cesária ÉVora

2023
Movie

Black Dju

1997

Could not load more credits.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 5

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Cesária Évora — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Knight of the Legion of Honour
Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album
Kora Awards
Order of Cultural Merit Brazil
Victory of the album of traditional musics or musics of the world

Did you know?

FACTS · 3

Little-known facts about Cesária Évora — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Cesária Évora was the mother of Eduardo, born on August 5, 1959, and Fernanda, and grandmother of Adilson and Janete.
She was the daughter of Justino da Cruz and Joana, and one of five children.
Cesária Évora was a singer.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 32

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Cesária Évora.

When was Cesária Évora born?

Cesária Évora was born on August 27, 1941. She was born in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente.
Where was Cesária Évora born?

She was born in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, which was then part of Portugal. It is now the independent nation of Cape Verde.
When did Cesária Évora die?

Cesária Évora died on December 17, 2011 at the age of 70. She passed away in her hometown of Mindelo.
How old was Cesária Évora when she died?

She was 70 years old at the time of her death. She passed away on December 17, 2011.
Where did Cesária Évora die?

She died in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde. This is the same city where she was born.
How did Cesária Évora die?

Cesária Évora died from pulmonary failure. She passed away on December 17, 2011 in Mindelo.
What was Cesária Évora's occupation?

She was an actress, composer, and music crew member. She is best known as a singer and performer of morna music.
What nationality was Cesária Évora?

Cesária Évora was Cape Verdean. She was born and died in Cape Verde.
What awards did Cesária Évora win?

She won many awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, Knight of the Legion of Honour, Kora Awards, Order of Cultural Merit Brazil, and multiple Victory of the album of traditional musics or musics of the world awards.
How many awards did Cesária Évora win?

Cesária Évora won at least six major awards, including one Grammy and one Legion of Honour. Her recognition spans international music and cultural honors.
What is Cesária Évora best known for?

She is best known for her appearances on Vivement Dimanche 1998 and Star Academy 2001. More broadly, she is known as the Barefoot Diva of Cape Verdean music.
Why was Cesária Évora called the Barefoot Diva?

Cesária Évora was nicknamed the Barefoot Diva because she often performed on stage without shoes. This became her signature style, symbolizing her connection to her roots.
Did Cesária Évora use any other names?

Yes, her name is sometimes written as Cesaria Evora without the accent. In Portuguese and international contexts, both spellings appear.
What films did Cesária Évora appear in?

She appeared in Vivement Dimanche 1998 and Star Academy 2001 as herself. She was also credited as a composer for films like Great Expectations 1998 and Underground 1995.
Who were Cesária Évora's parents?

Her parents were Justino da Cruz and Joana. She was one of five children in the family.
Did Cesária Évora have children?

Yes, she had two children: a son named Eduardo born August 5, 1959 and a daughter named Fernanda. She also had grandchildren named Adilson and Janete.
What genre of music did Cesária Évora sing?

Cesária Évora was a singer of morna, a traditional Cape Verdean music style. She also performed coladeira and other genres from the islands.
Did Cesária Évora win a Grammy?

Yes, she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. This was a major milestone in her career.
What was Cesária Évora's most famous song?

Her most famous song is Sodade, though it is not listed in her official filmography. She also recorded many other morna classics.
How did Cesária Évora start her career?

She began singing as a teenager in local bars and clubs in Mindelo. Later, she gained international recognition and became known as the Barefoot Diva.
Was Cesária Évora ever married?

The source does not provide information about her marital status. She is known to have had children, but details of her relationships are not documented.
What is Cesária Évora's legacy in music?

She is remembered as a global ambassador of Cape Verdean music, bringing morna to world audiences. Her awards, including the Legion of Honour, testify to her cultural impact.
Where is Cesária Évora buried?

The source does not specify her burial place. She died in Mindelo, and it is likely she was buried there.
What languages did Cesária Évora sing in?

She sang primarily in Cape Verdean Creole, and also in Portuguese. Her music often reflected the soul and saudade of the islands.
Did Cesária Évora act in any movies?

She appeared as herself in the TV shows Vivement Dimanche 1998 and Star Academy 2001. She was also a composer for films but did not have major acting roles.
What is the meaning of Évora's nickname 'Cise'?

The source lists her nickname as Cise, but does not explain its origin. It may be a short form of her name Cesária used by friends and family.
How many children did Cesária Évora have?

She had two children: Eduardo and Fernanda. She also had two grandchildren named Adilson and Janete.
What awards did Cesária Évora receive from France?

She received the Knight of the Legion of Honour, one of France’s highest civilian honors. This award recognized her contribution to music and culture.
Did Cesária Évora perform barefoot often?

Yes, she frequently performed on stage without shoes, which led to her nickname The Barefoot Diva. It became a hallmark of her live shows.
What was Cesária Évora's favorite song to perform?

The source does not specify her favorite song. However, Sodade is widely considered her signature song.
How did Cesária Évora influence world music?

She introduced Cape Verdean morna to international audiences, influencing many world music artists. Her success paved the way for other African and Lusophone singers.
What is Cesária Évora's connection to Portugal?

Cape Verde was a Portuguese colony at her birth, and she was born in Mindelo, Portuguese Cape Verde. She maintained cultural ties to Portugal throughout her life.

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Published on June 9, 2026

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Cesária Évora.

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

Vivement Dimanche

Le Monde Est à Vous

Star Academy

Victoires De La Musique

Zona+

Cesária ÉVora

Black Dju