During a presentation in Mexico, Cruz suffered a health mishap.
As a result of this, it was discovered that she suffered from glioma (a very aggressive brain tumor), and underwent an operation to remove it at the end of that year, to then try to resume her artistic career.
She recorded her last album, entitled Regalo del Alma.
In March 2003, she was paid tribute by the US Hispanic network Telemundo, which involved figures such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, La India, Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle among others.
This was her last public appearance.

On the afternoon of July 16, 2003, Cruz died at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77.
At her express wish, her mortal remains were first transferred to Miami for two days to receive the homage of her Cuban exile admirers, returning and finally resting in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York.
An epilogue in her autobiography notes that, in accordance with her wishes, Cuban soil which she had saved from a visit to Guantánamo Bay was used in her entombment.
During a presentation in Mexico, Cruz suffered a health mishap. As a result of this, it was discovered that she suffered from glioma (a very aggressive brain tumor), and underwent an operation to remove it at the end of that year, to then try to resume her artistic career. She recorded her last album, entitled Regalo del Alma. In March 2003, she was paid tribute by the US Hispanic network Telemundo, which involved figures such as Gloria Estefan, Marc Anthony, La India, Gloria Gaynor and Patti LaBelle among others. This was her last public appearance.
On the afternoon of July 16, 2003, Cruz died at her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at the age of 77. At her express wish, her mortal remains were first transferred to Miami for two days to receive the homage of her Cuban exile admirers, returning and finally resting in the Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. An epilogue in her autobiography notes that, in accordance with her wishes, Cuban soil which she had saved from a visit to Guantánamo Bay was used in her entombment.
Celia Cruz