Grammy award-winning African singer Cesaria Evora has died, aged 70.
The singer, nicknamed the "barefoot diva" for always performing on stage without footwear, passed away at a hospital in Mindelo, on her native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, on Saturday (17Dec11).
Announcing the news on her label Lusafrica's website, a representative writes, "Cesaria Evora has passed away today saturday December 17th in Mindelo on her native island of Sao Vicente at hospital Baptista de Sousa... May she rest in peace."
Evora was forced to retire in September (11) due to ill health and underwent open-heart surgery last year (10).
Orphaned at a young age, she began her career singing in bars in her local African town as a teenager, and performed on cruise ships throughout the 1960s.
She was then invited to sing in Portugal, where she was spotted by musician Jose da Silva, who invited her to record for the first time in Paris, France.
From the 1980s she became internationally successful with her albums, going on to win a Grammy award in 2003 for her record Voz d'Amor in the World Music category.
After retiring in September (11) she said, "I have no strength, no energy. I want you to say to my fans: forgive me, but now I need to rest. I infinitely regret having to stop because of illness, I would have wanted to give more pleasure to those who have followed me for so long."