Born in Mindelo on the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente in 1941, Césaria Évora grew up surrounded by music, raised by a father who was a respected morna composer. She began her musical career at the age of 15, singing at bars and on Portuguese cruise ships to make a living. It is here that she earned the nickname "Barefoot Diva" thanks to her refusal to wear shoes while performing. In 1985, she was noticed by fellow Cape Verdean performer, Bana, who invited her to Lisbon. However, it was not until the release of her debut album, La Diva aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva), in 1988, that the world finally took notice of Évora and her mighty talent. Charming audiences with her evocative voice, Évora introduced the world to morna, a style of folk music native to her homeland. She would eventually go on to release several albums and sell thousands of CDs as well as earn award nominations and critical acclaim. Humble and grounded, her ease on stage and moving vocals continued to astonish audiences the world over until ill health forced her to retire in 2010, just shortly before her passing the following year. Counted as one of Africa's most internationally-acclaimed artists, Césaria Évora's music lives on.
