RUBEN BLADES - Official BioBorn July 16th, 1948 in the Republic of Panama
Education
Harvard Graduate Law School LLM Masters in International Law (1985)
Degree in Law and Political Science from the University of Panama (1974)
Awards and Distinctions
2021 Latin Grammy Person of the Year
2020 Harvard University
Arts
Medal
2018-2020 New York
University
Steinhardt Dean’s Scholar-in-Residence
2018
Ministry of Culture of Spain Medalla de Oro
al Mérito en las Bellas Artes
2011 The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) honored him with their Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award
2010 Aid for Aids honored him with the “My Hero” award for his work promoting Aids awareness
2008 The Rubén Blades Archives at Harvard University was initiated to collect his papers, work, and related materials 2008 Latin Trade Magazine honored him with the Bravo Award for the Most Innovative Leader of the Year
2007 The Latin American Tourism Confederation (COTAL) selected him as the Tourism Personality of the Year, honoring him with
the Albatros Award
2006 The Chilean Government presented him with the Pablo Neruda Medal of Honor
2005 ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) honored him with the “Founders Award”
2003 The National Academy of Arts & Sciences (NARAS) honored him with the "Heroes Award"
2000 Named Ambassador Against Racism by the United Nations
1995 Honorary Doctorate in Chicano Studies, from Berkeley University (California)
2000 Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Lehman College, CUNY (Bronx, New York)
2005 Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music (Boston, Massachusetts)
2024 Honorary Doctorate of Music from Princeton University (NJ(
Music and Film
He has recorded more than 25 albums and countless collaborations with diverse artists
He has won 23 Grammy Awards (12 U.S. Grammy and 11 Latin Grammy). Among these, Salsa Big Band and SALSWING! won both
Best Salsa and Album of the Year Latin Grammys, as well as the U.S. Grammy Best Tropical Latin Album. SALSWING! was also
named Latin Grammy Album of the Year.
He has starred in 35+ movies, and 2 television shows He has starred in 35+ movies and as a regular in 2 television series,
and guest star in 2 other series.
He was nominated for 3 Emmy Awards
He won a Cable Ace Award in the Best Actor category (1989)
Subject of the award-winning documentary Yo No Me Llamo Rubén Blades directed by Abner Benaim
Discography
Filmography
Politics
Served as General Administrator of the Authority of Tourism in Panama and Minister of Tourism of Panama, from September 1st 2004,
until June 30th 2009
He was a candidate for President of the Republic of Panama in 1994, coming in third place, with 18% of the vote in the election,
among 27 parties and 7 presidential candidates
Founder of the Papa Egoro political party in the Republic of Panama (1992)
Future Plans
Blades plans to tour with Roberto Delgado Salsa Big Band through Latin America, the United States, and Europe, while continuing his activities in film and television, writing his articles of opinion published in his social media pages and his blog La Esquina de Rubén, and preparing new producions in other musical genres and styles. He is also currently working on his memoirs.
Official Web site rubenblades.com
Official Facebook facebook.com/Medoro.Madera.Oficial
Twitter @rubenblades
Instagram ruben.blades
Youtube Rubén Blades
Rubén Blades CDs and LPs available at shop.rubenblades.com