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GloriaandEmilio Estefan’s kids are following in their parents' talent-filled footsteps. The Cuban power couple,who have been married for more than 40 years, are the parents of two children. They welcomed their son, Nayib, in 1980, while their daughter, Emily, was born in 1994.
“I love the relationship we have nowthat they are adults”, Gloria toldPeople en Españolof her grownup kids. The Latina legend shares a close bond with both Nayib, a filmmaker and entrepreneur, and Emily, a singer-songwriter.
“Seeing my kids happy with what they are doing in their livesis the biggest gift I could receiveand they both love what they do”, Gloria said of the talented two, who have respectfully created a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.
Over the years, the famed family has joined forces for numerous projects, likeRed Table Talk: The Estefans, their show that features personal conversations between Emily, Gloria and herEmmy Award-winning niece,Lili.
In October 2022, the queen of Latin pop teamed up with Emily as well as Nayib’s son, Sasha, to releaseEstefan Family Christmasin October 2022. The multigenerational musicians performed at theMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradethat year.
Gloria spoke to PEOPLE aboutworking on the albumduring a December 2022 interview. “It was wonderful. We spent a couple months together in the studio. Sasha learned a lot. He stayed with me the whole time, even when I was there until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning,” she said. “I mean, Emily doesn’t need to be produced in any way. Although Sasha would sit there and give her ideas!”
Here’s everything to know about Gloria and Emilio’s two grown children.
Emily Estefan
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Emily is the Cuban-American daughter of Gloria and Emilio, born on Dec. 5, 1994. Similar to her Latin-legend parents, she has pursued a career in the music industry — but theBerklee School of Music graduatehas made a point toforge her own identity as an artist, as well.
The singer-songwriter released her debut albumTake Whatever You Wantin 2017, embodying a totally different sound compared to the Latin-spiced ballads her mother is known for. When speaking withPeople en Español,Emily described the tracksas “soul and R&B” with “little snippets of [her] Latino pride in unexpected areas.”
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The albumappeared on fourBillboardchartsupon its release, including Hip Hop, R&B, Independent and Heatseekers. Furthermore, she released music videos for singles “F#ck to Be,” “Reigns (Every Night)” and “Purple Money.”
In addition to singing and songwriting, Emily is a drummer, guitarist, producer andpodcast host. After graduating, she founded the indie label Alien Shrimp Records, which signeda multi-year distribution deal with Sony’s REDin 2016.
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During an episode ofRed Table Talk: The Estefans, Gloria spoke about her own experience in coming to terms with her daughter’s sexuality. “We had no clue,” the Latina legend admitted during their conversation. “You say, ‘How could we not have known?’ It’s not like we didn’t suspect at some moments.”
She added: “You said to me, ‘Mom, I’m not gay… because that wasn’t the word in your mind for who you were.” Emily responded: “I was also figuring out who I am.” Now, Emily has started to recognize that “regrets are a waste of time,” but revealed she’s “still on that journey.”
Nayib Estefan
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Nayib is the son of Gloria and Emilio, born on Sept. 2, 1980. A musician in his own right, the former Los Angeles Film School student also pursued a career in filmmaking and acting.
The Miami native has appeared in films such asPunksandYearbook, plus has a soundtrack credit in the Sundance-selected shortThe Sun Like a Big Dark Animal. While he also opened adrive-in movie theater in his hometown, his music goes beyond film, as he spins tunes and mixes beats under the nickname “DJ Monkey.”
Growing up in the shadow of Gloria and Emilio, Nayib — similar to his sister, Emily — wastrying to find his “purpose,“especially having experienced an extraordinary childhood. “I got to meet a lot of incredible people, I got to see a lot of incredible things. I think I went around the world three times before I was a teenager,” he toldGreensboro News and Record.
“I’m a lot smarter now, definitely,” he revealed to the outlet in 2001. “I feel more comfortable in my own skin. I guess I found what my purpose is a little bit. I was trying to find that before, and I was having trouble.”
But even though the creative has “found” himself, Nayib — unlike his sister, Emily — has tried todistance himself from his parents’ famed moniker. (Hence, “DJ Monkey.") He explained, “I wanted to see if I could go out there and pay my dues like every other DJ without people saying that you did it because of your name.”
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Despite the distancing, family is still important to Nayib and he’s grateful for his parents' support. “I couldn’t have asked for a better life. My parents are great,” he continued to tellGreensboro News and Record. “I’ve learned a million things from my dad. My mom, I wouldn’t even know where to start telling you.”
Now, Nayib has started a family of his own. He marriedLara Diamante Estefan-Coppolain 2010 and they share one child together, sonSasha— who’s also following in the family’s musical footsteps as well! Gloria, Emily and Sasha recordedEstefan Family Christmas, their first album together, and released it in October 2022.
source: people.com
