Chita Rivera, iconic performer of stage and screen with credits including “Chicago,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Sweet Charity,” has died. She was 91.
Rivera’s longtime publicist Merle Frimark and daughter Lisa Mordente, confirmed Chita died “peacefully” on Tuesday January 30 “in New York after a brief illness.”
Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero in Washington, DC on January 23, 1933, Rivera trained as a ballerina from the age of nine, receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. Her first major role, at the age of 19, was as a principal dancer in Call Me Madam.
The recipient of a record 10 Tony Award nominations, and winner of two for “The Rink” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Rivera’s unparalleled Broadway career spanned decades, from playing Anita in “West Side Story” and opposite Dick Van Dyke in “Bye Bye Birdie” to signature Bob Fosse musicals like “Chicago” and “All That Jazz.”
Rivera appeared in a number of movies and TV shows as well, including screen adaptations of “Sweet Charity” and “Chicago” as well as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
Her most recent screen credit was in Netflix’s 2021 movie Tick Tick …Boom.
Rivera was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by President Barack Obama, and Living Landmark status from the New York Landmarks Concervancy. She toured throughout the world as a cabaret performer, playing sold-out shows at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Cadogan Hall. Her career retrospective concert Chita Rivera: A lot of Livin’ to Do was presented on PBS’s Great Performances, and her memoir, Chita, was published by HarperOne in April 2023.
She is survived by siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero, along with many nieces and nephews. Chita Rivera will be sorely missed by many in the Broadway and cabaret communities where she was revered. R.I.P.
