Broadway Legend Chita Rivera Dies at 91

Known for her roles in 'West Side Story', 'Bye Bye Birdie', and 'Chicago', Rivera continued her career despite a serious injury, earning 10 Tony nominations and a presidential medal of freedom.

Chita Rivera, one of Broadway's greatest stars, known for her dynamic personality and prodigious physical energy, has died at the age of 91.
Rivera created the role of Anita in 'West Side Story' in 1957 and was known for her roles in 'Bye Bye Birdie', 'Chicago', and 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.
Despite a car accident that resulted in a compound fracture of her leg, Rivera continued her career with five more Broadway runs and four more Tony nominations, among the lifetime 10, which included wins for 'The Rink' and 'Spider Woman'.
Rivera's last big part was in Kander and Ebb’s musical version of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s absurdist tragicomedy, 'The Visit'.
In 2009, in her home town of Washington, President Barack Obama awarded her the presidential medal of freedom.