Gloria Estefan’s Mother Gloria “Rapuela” Fajardo Dies at 88

Gloria Estefan announced to fans that her mother Gloria Fajardo passed away Tuesday night. She was 88. 

“Tonight at 8:19 pm we lost my beloved mother, the inimitable Gloria Fajardo. She went peacefully surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren, son-in-laws, niece, three loving caregivers, extended family and her most trusted friends, very especially, the two beautiful ladies in each side in this picture, Carmen Corpion & Clara Bris,” she writes in the touching Instagram post. “They were an integral part of her posse not only throughout her life but to her last breath. I know it was exactly the way she would have wanted her departure from this earth to be, surrounded by love and the true representations of everyone that was special to her in life.”

The singer then went on to explain that her mother’s time of death has a particular significance for their family. 

“know she chose the very moment, 8:19, because her beloved mother had died on 8/19 thirty-two years ago and she wanted to make sure that we got the message that she was with our beloved grandmother, Abuela Consuelo and my loving father, Jose Manuel,” she explains. “I will miss her every moment of every day, and I thank her for being the incredible mother, woman and role model that she was to so many people.” 

For several months the 59-year-old star has kept fans updated about her mother’s health, she was met with an outpour of love and support from all of her followers. 

“Thank you for your prayers and messages, and the love and concern that filled our hearts and accompanied us throughout this most difficult time. Please know that at every moment, I let her know about the love and light that was being sent to her and she appreciated and absorbed every beautiful sentiment. Thank you for keeping us in your hearts and gently holding our hands,” she says.

We’ll sure miss you, Rapuela. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.