Broadway legend Chita Rivera has died at 91

It was just seven days ago that I wrote a tribute to the great Chita Rivera on the occasion of her 91st birthday. It has just been announced that the beloved Broadway legend who starred in West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink and so many more hit shows has died.

Via People:

“It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91,” shared her rep Merle Frimark in a statement on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by her daughter Lisa Mordente, Rivera died in New York “after a brief illness.”

“She is also survived by her siblings Julio, Armando and Lola del Rivero, (her older sister Carmen predeceased her), along with her many nieces, nephews and friends. Her funeral will be private. A memorial service will be announced in due course,” continues the statement, asking for any donations in her memory to be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.