Singer Cesaria Evora, dubbed the “Barefoot Diva” for often performing without shoes, has died in her native Cape Verde at the age of 70. The musican, forced to retire earlier this year due to ill-health, began her career singing in the bars of Mindelo in the West African island nation. Evora did not begin her recording career until 1988, and won a Grammy Award in 2004 for her album Voz D’Amor.
She was famed for singing songs of longing with her rich contralto vocals.
Her sultry voice was often compared to blues star Billie Holliday
Her fourth album, Miss Perfumado, was her breakthrough hit in 1992. It sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide, and resulted in a number of tours. She released 10 albums in all.
