(CNN) � Chita Rivera, an iconic performer of stage and screen with credits including “Chicago,� “Kiss of the Spider Woman� and “Sweet Charity,� has died. She was 91.
Rivera’s longtime publicist Merle Frimark confirmed the news to CNN on Tuesday, saying Rivera died “peacefully� on Tuesday “in New York after a brief illness.�
The recipient of a record 10 Tony Award nominations, and winner of two for “The Rink� and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,� Rivera’s unparalleled Broadway career spanned decades, from playing Anita in “West Side Story� and opposite Dick Van Dyke in “Bye Bye Birdie� to signature Bob Fosse musicals like “Chicago� and “All That Jazz.�
Although she maintained a dizzying stage schedule, Rivera appeared in a number of movies and TV shows as well, including screen adaptations of “Sweet Charity� and “Chicago� as well as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.�
Her most recent screen credit was in Netflix’s 2021 movie “� in which she appeared in a sequence among other stage musical luminaries.
Born in Washington, DC in 1933, Rivera began training as a ballerina at age 9 before receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from legendary choreographer George Balanchine, an obituary from Frimark detailed.
Rivera, whose father was Puerto Rican, soon became one of Broadway’s most notable triple-threats (actor-singer-dancer), paving the way for Latinx artists to follow. She originated the timeless in the original Broadway premiere of “West Side Storyâ€Â in 1957.
Her stage career highlights include starring roles in “Bye Bye Birdie,â€� “The Rinkâ€� and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,â€Â along with the original Broadway casts of “Guys and Dollsâ€Â and “Mr. Wonderful.â€�
The honors Rivera amassed included being a Kennedy Center honoree in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented to her by President Barack Obama in 2009. She was also awarded the 2018 Special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theatre.
Rivera also wrote a book, “Chita: A Memoir,� which was published last year.
Stephanie Pope, Broadway actress and friend of Rivera, told CNN on Tuesday that the late star “is and always will be a legend� She achieved a standard of excellence that we all aspired to but will never match.�
“I cherish the time I spent with her both on stage and off,� Pope added. “The theater community and world has lost a true star.�
Frimark included a statement from Rivera’s daughter Lisa Mordente, which mentioned the star’s funeral will be private and that she is survived by her daughter and siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero “along with her many nieces, nephews and friends.�
CNN’s Brian Lowry and Dan Heching contributed to this report.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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