Billboard sits down “In Conversation” with the legendary Queen of Latin Pop herself, Gloria Estefan, for a look back on her incredible 50 years in music with personal stories, like the first time she saw the love of her life Emilio Estefan, meeting Selena Quintanilla before her tragic passing, her new musical Basura and her return to her Spanish language roots, with her hit song, “Raíces.”

Gloria Estefan: Hi everybody, I’m Gloria Estefan, and you are watching Billboard News In Conversation.

Sigal Ratner-Arias: Welcome, Gloria, it’s great having you here.

Thank you so much. I’m happy to be here!

What’s your favorite Billboard moment, past, present or future? 

I’d say right now, because you know, there have been so many in the past. And I have to say, though, I think when I got to meet Selena at the Billboard Awards, right before she was killed, and she was so lovely, and it was so beautiful. And thanks to being there at the Billboard Awards, I got to meet her, but I always like the latest things in this Billboard moment, all these are fantastic 

And last year we also honored you at Latin Music Week.

Well, of course! 

Latin Women in Music was very special.

Which is incredible. Yes, well, to be considered in “legend” territory is always very, very it’s a blessing and very surprising and beautiful.

Emilio didn’t even realize that it was my 50th year and so when he came with the idea for “Raíces” he brought me this idea a couple years ago, and he said, “Would you mind if I wrote it for you?” And I go, “That would be phenomenal and beautiful.” And he started bringing demos and showing me these amazing songs, and I just fell in love and I said, we’re doing this. And I go, “It’s our 50th year!” And he goes, “No, it can’t be!”

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