Rocío Dúrcal was a Spanish singer and actress who became one of the most popular and beloved performers of Mexican folk music, also known as ranchera. She sold over 40 million records worldwide and received numerous awards and honors, including a Latin Grammy for musical excellence in 2005. However, her life and career were cut short by a devastating disease that claimed her life in 2006. What was the cause of death of Rocío Dúrcal? How did she cope with her illness and what legacy did she leave behind? This article will explore these questions and more.
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Early Life and Career
Rocío Dúrcal was born María de los Ángeles de las Heras Ortiz on October 4, 1944, in Madrid, Spain. She began her artistic career at a young age, participating in various radio contests and shows with the support of her grandfather, who was her first fan. In 1959, she won a television competition called Primer Aplauso, which caught the attention of a manager named Luis Sanz, who offered her a contract and changed her name to Rocío Dúrcal
She made her film debut in 1962 with Canción de Juventud, directed by Luis Lucia. The movie was a huge success and launched her as a star of the Spanish cinema. She starred in several other films in the 1960s and 1970s, such as Rocío de La Mancha, Tengo 17 años, Más bonita que ninguna, Acompáñame, and Me siento extraña. She also performed in theater plays and recorded songs for her movies, which became hits in Spain and Latin America
The Queen of Rancheras
In the late 1970s, Rocío Dúrcal decided to change her musical style and explore the genre of ranchera, which is a traditional form of Mexican folk music that expresses love, pain, and patriotism. She moved to Mexico with her husband, Antonio Morales Barreto, also known as Junior, who was a singer and member of the pop group Los Brincos. She signed a contract with Ariola Records and began working with the renowned Mexican composer and producer Juan Gabriel, who wrote and arranged most of her songs
Her first album with Juan Gabriel was Rocío Dúrcal Canta a Juan Gabriel (1977), which was an instant success and marked the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration that lasted until 2001. They recorded 10 albums together, which sold millions of copies and made Rocío Dúrcal one of the most popular singers of ranchera music in Mexico and beyond. Some of their most famous songs include “Amor Eterno”, “Costumbres”, “La Gata Bajo la Lluvia”, “Como Tu Mujer”, “Fue Un Placer Conocerte”, and “Dejame Vivir”
Rocío Dúrcal earned the nickname of “the most Mexican Spaniard” and “the Queen of Rancheras” for her interpretation and adaptation of this genre. She also performed duets with other famous singers, such as Julio Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Ana Gabriel, Vicente Fernández, Alejandro Fernández, Joan Sebastian, Marco Antonio Solís, and José Luis Perales. She toured extensively throughout Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Europe, and Asia, filling stadiums and arenas with her fans. She received numerous awards and recognitions for her musical career, such as Premio Lo Nuestro, Premio Ondas, Premio Billboard, and Premio ASCAP.
The Battle with Cancer
In 2001, Rocío Dúrcal was diagnosed with uterine cancer, a type of cancer that begins in the uterus or womb. She underwent surgery to remove her uterus, ovaries, and lymph nodes, and then received chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. She announced her illness to the public in 2002, and expressed her optimism and determination to fight against it. She said: “I think I’m made of different stuff. One thing you can say is that I’m not frightened of anything.”
Despite her health problems, she continued working and recording new albums, such as Entre Tangos y Mariachi (2001), Caricias (2002), and Alma Ranchera (2004). She also resumed her tours and concerts, showing her strength and courage to her fans. However, her condition worsened in 2005, and she had to cancel some of her shows due to complications. She was hospitalized several times in Madrid and Houston, and underwent more surgeries and treatments. She died on March 25, 2006, at the age of 61, surrounded by her family and friends.
The Legacy of Rocío Dúrcal
Rocío Dúrcal left behind a legacy of music, art, and love that transcended borders and generations. She was one of the most influential and beloved singers of Spanish and Mexican culture, and a symbol of courage and resilience for women and cancer patients. Her songs are still played and enjoyed by millions of people around the world, and her voice and style are admired and imitated by many artists. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005, and a statue in her hometown of Madrid in 2007. She was also ranked as one of the 200 greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in 2023.
Rocío Dúrcal cause of death was a tragic loss for the music industry and her fans, but her memory and legacy live on in her songs and films. She once said: “I don’t want people to cry when I die. I want them to sing my songs and remember me with joy.” That is how she will always be remembered: as a joyful, talented, and passionate woman who gave her all to her art and her audience.
