Names: Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo and Emilio Estéfan, Jr.

Ages: She is 48 , he is 53

Occupations: She is a singer,songwriter and author. He is a musician and producer.

Place of Residence: Star Island, Miami

Bio: From Wikipedia, “Emilio Estéfan, Jr. was born March 4, 1953 and is a Cuban musician and producer of Lebanese ancestry. Estefan’s first taste of celebrity came as a member of the Miami Sound Machine, but he is currently better known as the producer of many famous singers. In 1968, Estefan moved to the United States, where he shared an apartment with 15 family members. He earned a living by running errands for neighbors, using an old car. Estefan then began to work at local beauty contests, and at Bacardi, where he was employed as a mailroom worker. He later was promoted to the company’s Latin marketing department.
Estefan’s real passion, however, remained with music. He started a group which became known as the “Miami Latin Boys”. The group had success, being hired to play at multiple private parties and events around Miami. It was during one such event in 1975 that Emilio met Gloria Estefan, then Gloria Fajardo.

From Wikipedia, “Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo was born on September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba and is a five-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American singer,songwriter, and author, who began her career as lead vocalist for the Hispanic dance music band, Miami Sound Machine, in 1975. They crossed over to mainstream popular success with English-speaking audiences with the international hit singles, “Dr. Beat” (1984) and “Conga” (1986). Known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” Estefan is one of the world’s most recognized popular music artists. With over 70 million albums sold worldwide, she is the single most successful crossover performer in Latin music history.” The couple have two children, Nayib and Emily Marie.

Why they are loved: They are the ultimate in the Cuban exile success story. Both left Cuba after the revolution. Gloria’s father, José Fajardo, was a personal bodyguard to then-Cuban president Fulgencio Batista’s wife, and was captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion that attempted to overthrow the new communist government established by Fidel Castro. Estefan’s father was held as a prisoner until an exchange was arranged by President John F. Kennedy. Gloria made a huge comeback after a 1990 tour bus accident that required the implantation of two titanium rods to stabilize her spinal column and about a year of physical therapy. Emilio has become a favorite producer among Latino artists and working with him is considered a pathway to success – he’s worked with Shakira for example. Since 2002 he has produced the Latin Grammys. The couple donates money to a number of charities.

Why they are hated: They have been called the leaders of the “Miami mafia” referring to the Cuban exile community based in Miami. Some say nothing happens in Miami unless they ok it. They have been accused of helping keep Cuban musicans from performing in the United States. The music that Emilio produces has been called perfect for crossover success which to some means watered down latino pop. Their restaurants have been called mediocre at best.

Why they are influential: Together, they own a number of business establishments: five Cuban-themed restaurants (Bongos) in Miami, Miami Beach, Disney World’s Pleasure Island in Orlando, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They also own two hotels: the Palm Court Resort Hotel in Vero Beach, which was destroyed by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in September, 2004 (Estefan’s management says it will be rebuilt and reopen as the Cabana Beach Resort in late 2007), and The Cardozo in Miami. A Biography Channel profile estimated the Estefans’ current net worth at $200 million. Love them or hate them, thay can make or break careers.

VOTE for los Estefans as VL’s Most Influential Latino 2006.

Image Via / Pepperdine University