The Cuban singer Omara Portuondo expressed her joy this Wednesday over the nomination of her album Eternamente Omara for the 27th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in the category of Best Traditional Tropical Album, making her, at the age of 95, one of the oldest figures to compete for the Latin award.
"I'm very happy and thrilled that, at 95 years old, my album Eternamente Omara, a project I worked on with Roberto Fonseca, the music producer, has been nominated for a Latin Grammy," wrote the singer in her social media post, where she appeared smiling while holding the vinyl.
The album, produced by Fonseca and released in September 2025 under the label Warner Music España, features collaborations with Nathy Peluso, Pablo López, Angélique Kidjo, and Silvio Rodríguez.
Portuondo took the opportunity to thank the artists who collaborated and those who made the project possible. He extended a special recognition "to the Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which has treated me with such love and respect over the years, and to all its members."
He also dedicated words to his family—Ariel, Rossio, and Yodelys—and welcomed his newborn great-granddaughter.
"Thanks to my family... and my new, lovely, and beautiful great-granddaughter, Tokyo. Welcome to life," said Omara.
On the possibility of winning, the artist was straightforward: "If this album were to win, I could say that I would feel deeply satisfied after so many years of work, dedication, and love for music."
Portuondo's accolades at the Latin Grammy Awards include two wins and an honorary recognition: in 2009, she won for Gracias in the category of Best Contemporary Tropical Album; in 2019, she received the Award for Musical Excellence, which is honorary in nature; and in 2023, she again took home the gramophone for Vida, recognized as Best Traditional Tropical Album. With this latest victory, at the age of 93, she became the oldest artist to win a Latin Grammy for an album in the history of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
At 95 years old, Portuondo matches the age at which another Cuban, Ángela Álvarez, made history at the Latin Grammys. In 2022, Álvarez was nominated and won the award for Best New Artist, becoming the oldest person nominated for these honors. The artist passed away in December 2024.
The nomination of Omara comes in a year of strong Cuban presence at the Latin Grammy 2026: eight artists from the island are competing in various categories, including Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Leoni Torres, Alex Cuba, Tania León, and Yeisy Rojas.
In the same category where Portuondo is a contender—Best Traditional Tropical Album—Cuban artists Dayhan Díaz and Leoni Torres are also competing, along with Los Tri-O and Gilberto Santa Rosa.
The gala will take place on November 12, 2026 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcasted by Univision. Days before, on November 9, singer-songwriter Francisco "Pancho" Céspedes will receive the Award for Musical Excellence during Latin Grammy Week, joining the long list of top favorites of this edition.
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