Charo turns 71: Feisty 'Cuchi Cuchi Girl' calls family her 'greatest accomplishment'
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Charo, one of Hollywood’s acting and music legends, rang in her 71st birthday on Sunday, January 15. The gorgeous entertainer celebrated her special day with her loving family, whom she calls the greatest achievement of her life.
The ‘Thumbelina’ star, whose real name is Rosa Del Rosario Mercedes Pilar Martinez Molina Baeza, has carved an indelible niche for herself in tinsel town with her magnificent musical and acting talent as well as her iconic trademark move. Charo gained notoriety as "The Cuchi Cuchi Girl" thanks to her signature move: shaking her hips while exclaiming the phrase "cuchi-cuchi!" She reportedly began playing guitar at the age of nine and trained under the legendary Andrés Segovia.
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Born in Murcia, Spain, the 'Romance de Amor' hitmaker also tried her hand at acting and starred in several blockbuster movies, including 'The Concorde... Airport '79', and 'Tiger by the Tail'. She later garnered fame for her performance in the classic show 'The Love Boat'. Through it all, her family, including her only son and sister, has been her rock and she never shies away from crediting all her success to them.
Charo was married twice, but it was her second husband Kjell Rasten whom she loved the most. She exchanged vows with Kjell in August 1978 and held his heart until his death in February 2019. The Swedish producer and production manager died by suicide at age of 79. Charo and Kjell share a son, Shel Rasten, who also joined the entertainment industry, following in his mother’s footsteps. Charo also shares a charismatic bond with her only sister, Carmen Martinez Molina.
As per Amomama, Charo previously claimed that she planned to dedicate her life to her son and family, adding "my greatest accomplishment in my life is my son, my sister's happiness, and my family." The gifted singer can't wait to become a grandmother and dreams of teaching her future granddaughter her world-famous "cuchi-cuchi" dance routines. She hopes her son will soon start a family and will give her a chance to be a fun grandmother.
Charo’s son, who appeared in 'Celebrity Wife Swap', may not be a household name, but he is very devoted to his mother. In 2014, Shel appeared in an episode of 'Where Are They Now?' and gushed about his mother's many good traits. The 'Parks and Recreation' star described Charo as the best mom because she is trustworthy, fierce, supportive, and protective of him. Describing Charo's playful side, he shared that she displayed her lively gestures when she dropped him off on the first day of high school.