Elza Soares, one of Brazil’s greatest ever singers, dies at 91

Loss of much-loved samba star prompts outpouring of tributes and praise as six-decade career ends

Elza Soares, one of the greatest Brazilian singers of all time, has died at her beachside home in Rio after a legendary, genre-straddling six-decade career which made her a national treasure and a global star.

The beloved and eternal Elza has gone to rest but she will forever remain in musical history and in our hearts and those of thousands of fans all around the world. Just as Elza Soares had wanted, she sung until the end," her family and team announced in a statement on Thursday afternoon.