President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: “What a joy to see @caetanoveloso and Maria Bethânia being awarded the Grammy for Best Global Music Album. Your music crosses generations, touches the soul of our people, and shows the world the greatness of Brazilian culture.

“Pride in seeing two giants of our art being celebrated like this. Long live our music, our culture, and Brazil.”

Maria Bethânia Viana Teles Veloso was born in Santo Amaro, Bahia, she started her career in Rio de Janeiro in 1964 with the show “Opinião”, 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. She is the most awarded artist in the history of the Brazilian Music Awards.

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.

Bethânia was ranked in 2012, by Rolling Stone Brasil magazine, as the fifth-biggest voice in Brazilian music.