Quintessential Broadway star Chita Rivera has passed away following a brief illness.

She first gained wide attention in 1957 as Anita in the original production of ‘West Side Story” and was still dancing with that trademark energy in 2015’s ”The Visit,” bouncing back from a car crash in 1988 that crushed her right leg.

 

 

 

Rivera was nominated for seven Tony Awards – ”Bye Bye Birdie” (1960), ”Chicago” (1975), ”Bring Back Birdie” (1981), ”Merlin” (1983), ”Jerry’s Girls” (1985), ”Nine” (2003), and ”Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life” (2005).

She won Tonys for ”The Rink” (1984) and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1993).

Rivera also received a Tony for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom; the highest honour the U.S. can give a civilian, nine-years earlier.