Martha Argerich

Unarguably one of the most accomplished and highly acclaimed classical pianist alive today, Marta Argerich has won awards since her first piano recital at age 8. Born in Buenos Aires, the president at the time of her youth, Juan Peron, recognized the talent of young Argerich and appointed her parents to foreign ministry positions in Vienna, allowing Argerich to study under European masters. By the age of 24, Argerich was a renowned pianist throughout the world, due primarily to her defiant performance that garnered her a win at the international Frederic Chopin Pianist competition in Warsaw in 1965. Though her talent, coupled with her French New Wave styled appearance, involving mini skirts and excessive cigarettes grabbed the attention of the press, Argerich's distaste for the limelight kept her out of the public eye most of her life. Still performing today, Arerich is a living legend that should not be missed.