The death this weekend in Havana of "Paloma Dietrich," a well-known and beloved Cuban drag artist with over 35 years of artistic career, has left a wave of grief and shock among her friends and loved ones
Dietrich -known as "The Empress" and also as "The Great Lady"- passed away due to a kidney ailment that she could not overcome.
A Facebook post by Amed Corzo Amorós on July 9th sought help for Paloma. The request was not for financial assistance, but for medical help.
A post the following day, on July 10, expressed gratitude for the concern shown by Paloma's friends and followers, and specified that she had been admitted to a hospital in Havana.
However, it is a fact that Paloma Dietrich, who earned the affection and respect of the drag community in Cuba for more than three decades, could not overcome her illness.
The beloved drag performer was honored by her loved ones at the funeral home on Calzada and K in El Vedado, Havana.
In recent hours, numerous posts on social media have shown the affection and admiration that Paloma inspired wherever she went.
"Today, one of the great divas of Cuban drag, Paloma Dietrich, passed away in Havana. I had the honor of sharing words with her and interviewing her in 2016. I also had the pleasure of fully enjoying her art, which left many in awe when they saw 'the Great Lady,' as I referred to her during our meeting," wrote journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on social media.
“Today I mourn your departure to immortality, but all of us who love you will remember you for who you are, ‘the Great Lady of Cuban Transformism,’” added the popular Santiago communicator.
"I will always remember you like this. Life can be quite cruel sometimes. I never imagined this would happen. You know how much I love you, and it pains me deeply not to see you again. That's why I'll hold on to these memories of so many joyful moments. I'll cherish your lessons, your craziness, and your ideas," wrote the internet user known on social media as "Julio Ong," who resides outside the country.
"With a lump in my throat and a broken heart, I say my final goodbye to you, my friend, my sister, my mother. Even though I am far away, I have been with you at every moment. It pains me not to be able to see you again and enjoy your wild antics. I will miss you dearly, my Paloma Dietrich," Julio Ong expressed in another heartfelt post from a distance.
"The loss of a loved one plunges us into a torrent of emotions, where pain and longing intertwine with our most cherished memories. In these difficult times, words become a balm that embraces the heart, offering comfort and strength to those navigating the journey of grief," Concha La Cubanísima Aranxtha del Sol wrote on Facebook from the United States.
"Although you are no longer physically here, your legacy will endure in our lives. Your physical absence does not diminish the light of your soul in our hearts. In our memories, the echo of your laughter and the warmth of your embrace remain," he added.
The outpouring of farewell messages and expressions of admiration following the passing of Paloma Dietrich has been truly overwhelming on social media in recent hours.
"I would tell everyone that we are human beings, with or without flaws, which to me is not a flaw. I am a human being with feelings; I am made of flesh and bone. I am not a doll. I like to be treated for what I am, as a person," Paloma remarked in an interview that has been revived in a heartfelt audiovisual tribute following her passing.
"I would like to be an artist recognized by people, for them to know who I am, that I exist, and that they appreciate my work. For me, that is the most cherished dream of my life," added a very young Paloma. In light of the many who remember her today on the anniversary of her passing, it is clear that her dream came true.
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