Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Marquita Rivera (May 18, 1922 October 21, 2002 ), a.k.a. "Queen of Latin Rhythm", was a Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer. Dubbed the "Queen of La Conga," "Queen of Latin Rhythm" and "Latin Hurricane" during various stages of her career, Rivera, went on to enjoy a strong musical career both in the United States and in her native Puerto Rico. Born Maria Heroina Rivera de Santiago in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, she was the youngest in a family of seven sons and five daughters. The de Santiagos moved to New York City when Rivera was at an early age and it was there that she started a musical career. Studying dance and flamenco at an early age (6), she originally studied with Rita Hayworth's father, Eduardo Cansino. Rita herself gave Rivera a set of castanets as a gift.