For Emilio Estefan, success is helping others climb with you.

Emilio Estefan 's story is, at its core, a story of faith, struggle, and resilience . He left Cuba as a teenager, leaving his mother behind and crying throughout the flight to Spain.

Later, he emigrated to the United States , where, from the age of 15, he worked delivering papers for the Bacardi company and playing the accordion for tips in restaurants.

"There are two ways to do it: either you're negative or you're positive ," Estefan told Days to Shine attendees, highlighting how the need to help his family drove him to find a reason to live in music .

With no formal education, but an unwavering passion , he learned everything by ear . "I don't know how to write music , but I have passion . And passion is what saved my life."

The producer , with more than 40 Grammy nominations and multiple wins , has been behind global events such as the Olympics, the World Cup, and 48 White House celebrations for six U.S. presidents.

For him, success is not measured by fame , but by representing the Latino community with dignity.

"When life gives you an opportunity, you have to do it right, " he insisted. "You can't just say, 'I'm going to do it,' and then not do it."

Infographic — Emilio Estefan attended the Days to Shine event held in Santo Domingo. ( **DAYS TO SHINE** )

"I don't know how to write music, but I have passion. And passion was what saved my life" Emilio Estefan Music Producer “

At his side, his life and career partner, Gloria Estefan , has been a key figure in his career: "We worked together to defend the image of Latinos in the United States. And I'm proud to say that she is the first Latina woman with 65 number one songs in the world."

Inspiring life story

Emilio recalled with emotion how, as a young boy, he had to leave Cuba , separated from his mother, to begin a journey that would take him to Spain and then to the United States. Those early years, marked by distance and adversity, became the foundation for a life dedicated to music .

When he arrived in the U.S., he was immediately faced with the need to work hard to survive. He delivered papers at Bacardi and played the accordion for tips, doing whatever he could. It was during those days of hard work that he learned that passion could open doors where there were no obvious opportunities.

During her appearance on Days to Shine , Estefan insisted that, even without formal training in music composition , her passion led her to learn by ear and make her way in the industry. "I don't know how to write music ," she repeated, "but I have passion . And passion is what saved my life."

Estefan also spoke about how her Latinx identity has always been central to her work. Very emotionally, she mentioned the closeness she feels with the Dominican Republic , a country with which she has maintained family and cultural ties for decades. "My children grew up eating mangú and surrounded by the special warmth of the Dominican people," she expressed.

Beyond fame , she emphasized that her goal has always been to be a worthy spokesperson for the Latin community . Not only through collaborations with renowned artists like Celia Cruz, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony, but also by promoting initiatives that provide visibility and empowerment, especially to women and emerging talent.

Female empowerment

This year, Estefan joined as an official partner of Days to Shine , a platform that has been organizing women's empowerment events since 2017. Her participation reinforced the message that cultural spaces can also be spaces for social change .

During the Dominican edition of the event, the official song " Shine Baby Shine " was launched, written and produced by Estefan and performed by Lena Burke , which was presented on Despierta América , in an atmosphere of celebration and reaffirmation of the value of unity and authenticity.

In The Culture Shapers space, Estefan participated in a conversation with gallery owner Gary Nader, moderated by Evelyn Betancourt. The two shared personal anecdotes and challenges that, in retrospect, seem small, but were fundamental: humble beginnings, insecurities, fear of not being accepted.

" Those stories ," Estefan said, "are what shape who you end up being."

Regarding his marriage to Gloria Estefan , he emphasized that it is based on mutual respect , admiration, and shared values. "When you love and admire someone, everything flows," he commented. It wasn't just about entering the music world together, but about sustaining that career with integrity .

She also reflected on the role of women in the music industry . She recalled that, in the early days, many people said women didn't sell, that their voices had commercial limitations.

Today, she asserted, Latin music moves billions of dollars, largely thanks to female talent. That transformation , she said, is part of what she considers her mission accomplished.

For Estefan, the goal goes beyond producing hits: she seeks to make music a bridge between cultures , a source of inspiration for new generations, and a vehicle for fostering values. "Simple and organic always work," she commented.

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