Born December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, she moved to New York City at a young age. Her career spans over seven decades, making her a trailblazing Latina actress. She achieved fame with her Oscar-winning role as Anita in "West Side Story" (1961). Her versatility extends to stage and television, earning her an EGOT: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. She remains a cultural icon, known for breaking racial barriers in Hollywood and advocating for diversity and representation in the arts.