In 1990, a devastating tour bus accident left Gloria Estefan temporarily paralyzed and doctors warned she may never walk again. 34 years later, the Grammy Award-winning icon is not only walking, but dancing, performing, and giving back to society in meaningful ways. Estefan has donated more than $42 million to paralysis research and has devoted much of his life to finding a cure.
Widely known as the “Queen of Latin Pop,” Estefan has sold more than 100 million records and won numerous awards throughout her career, including several Grammy Awards. She also made history last year. First Hispanic woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. But beyond her musical success, Estefan’s dedication to paralysis research remains a core part of her life.
Recalling the day of the accident, Estefan recalls being told he might never walk again.
“They always have to present the worst-case scenario,” she said Monday on CBS Mornings.
Paralyzed after the accident, the now 67-year-old singer underwent surgery in New York and spent months recovering.
Estefan recalled having an elevator installed in his home. her husband Emilio; Long before the accident, I thought I might need it someday. That decision was very important because she relied on it during her recovery.
Estefan’s experience sparked a passion for supporting spinal cord injury research. She is closely involved with the Miami Paralysis Project, a foundation co-founded by Dr. Barth Green and former Miami Dolphins player Nick Buoniconti. Now led by Buoniconti’s son Marc, the project has made great strides in restoring muscle movement using brain interfaces. She said there are 175 people working to find a cure and she believes a breakthrough is possible.
It took Estefan time to recover from the accident, but several personal milestones made it possible.
She said, “It wasn’t until about six months after the accident that I was able to put on underwear on my own. “It was a really big deal,” he said. A year after the accident, she took the stage again, determined to show people that recovery was possible.
In addition to his charity work and efforts to end paralysis, Estefan is working on new creative projects with his daughter Emily, including an original Broadway musical. The two-year-old musical is nearing completion, and Estefan is also recording a new Spanish-language album.
The new album is inspired by her love story with her husband Emilio. The two, who have been married for 46 years, continue to have a close relationship.
“We are very blessed. We have a very beautiful relationship. Over the years, it has become closer and closer,” she said.
