Gloria Estefan

I know that people think of me in terms of Latin music and that's wonderful, that's my heritage, that's who I am, but there's so much more to me and my music.

I'm careful what I put out there into the universe, musically. I don't take it lightly.

My family was musical on both sides. My father's family had a famous flautist and a classical pianist. My mother won a contest to be Shirley Temple's double - she was the diva of the family. At 8, I learned how to play guitar. I used to play songs from the '20s, '30s and '40s in the kitchen for my grandmother.

My inspirations include the Beatles - love, love, love them - Elton John, Carole King, and Stevie Wonder.

I love Gershwin. I love musicals.

When most artists walk offstage, they go to a lonely hotel room. I went home to my family. They were there before the show, during and after. It's been great. I never would have done it any other way. I wasn't gonna miss raising my kids. There was no way that was gonna happen.

When you're a front man for a band, there's nowhere to hide. It took me a long time to get used to that. But music is my first love. I started singing when I talked.

I don't want anything from Cuba. I want them to be free and enjoy the things I enjoy.

The '70s were a hot time. You know? I was, like, the most calm of all my friends.

As an artist, you dream about accumulating enough successful music to someday do just one greatest-hits album, but to reach the point where you're releasing your second collection of hits is beyond belief.

Having felt people's love and support first hand through difficult moments in my life makes me feel it's our responsibility to help one another.

We protect aspirin bottles in this country better than we protect guns from accidents by children.

I think that the only way to teach is by example, as children will more easily follow what they see you do than what you tell them to do.

To know that everything we say and do to this new little human being may have a profound effect on him or her is a daunting obligation.

The responsibility of carrying and bringing a new life into this world is one that cannot be taken lightly.

Sex and drugs were simply not discussed in our culture at that time.

My mom was definitely very strict with me.

There's no reason that just because you're a celebrity you can't write.

I'm a writer and this is what I love to do.

I gotta tell you, my nature is not to be the center of attention.