Late Singer Lola Beltrán Gets an Animated Google Doodle in Honor of Her 92nd Birthday

Google is celebrating the late legendary Mexican ranchera icon Lola Beltrán with an animated Doodle on her 92nd birthday Thursday, March 7.

In the purple-hued illustration of Beltrán, she is elegantly presented with her hair in a bun adorned with a flower, and large earrings while singing into a microphone. Known for her monumental role in popularizing ranchera and huapango music globally, Beltrán stands among the most venerated Mexican singers of all time.

Born María Lucila Beltrán Ruiz in El Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico, her journey to stardom began in the 1950s and 1960s, a period celebrated as the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.

Before fame, “Her church choir inspired her love of singing and she became obsessed with ballads,” reads the About the Doodle section. “In 1953, Beltrán and her mother moved to Mexico City to pursue her career as a singer. After getting a job as a popular radio station’s secretary, Beltrán earned the chance to participate in an on-air singing contest. She didn’t just win — the producers were so impressed that they helped her secure a recording contract. Beltrán started to cover popular songs on air and even earned her own radio show, but she had bigger dreams.”

This victory launched her onto a path of success, culminating in approximately 100 album releases, such as Alma Cancionera de México (1960) and Joyas (1969), and starring roles in 50 films, including La Desconocida (1954) and Canción del Alma (1963).

Beltrán’s influence extended beyond music to acting, earning her widespread acclaim and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Notably, she was the first ranchera singer to grace the stage of the prestigious El Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, and performed for numerous world leaders.

Her interpretations of “Cucurrucucú Paloma” and “Paloma Negra” have become enduring standards. Beyond her artistic talents, Beltrán’s distinctive style and stage presence made her a fashion icon and emblem of Mexican cultural pride.

Beltrán’s legacy continued to flourish until her death in 1996 due to a pulmonary embolism.

Through its Doodle, Google aligns Beltrán’s tribute with past honorees such as Tito Puente, Raoul A. Cortez and Diana Sacayán.

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