Maria Bethânia
Maria Bethânia Viana Teles Veloso (Portuguese pronunciation: [maˈɾiɐ beˈtɐ̃niɐ]; born 18 June 1946) is a Brazilian singer and songwriter. Born in Santo Amaro, Bahia, she started her career in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 with the show "Opinião" ("Opinion"), she is "The Queen of Brazilian Music". Due to its popularity, with performances all over the country, and the popularity of her 1965 single "Carcará", the artist became a star in Brazil.[1]
In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Viana and the second or paternal family name is Teles Veloso.
Maria Bethânia
Bethânia is the sister of the singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso and of the writer-songwriter Mabel Velloso, as well as being aunt of the singers Belô Velloso and Jota Velloso.[2] The singer has released 50 studio albums in 47 years of career,[3] and is among the 10 best-selling music artists in Brazil, having sold more than 26 million records.[4] Bethânia was ranked in 2012, by Rolling Stone Brasil magazine, as the fifth-biggest voice in Brazilian music.[5]
Personal life[edit]
She moved to Rio de Janeiro alone, at age 17, in 1963, where she lives today. Very discreet, she is not often seen in social events. Currently she lives alone in a residence that she bought in a neighborhood far away, close to the nature and bush, far from the bustle of Rio.[23] The singer does not have children,[24] and is adept to Brazilian religions of African origin, such as the Candomblés.[25]