Brazilian singer Gal Costa passes away at 77

By Bala Chambers

BUENOS AIRES (AA) - Gal Costa, a prominent Brazilian singer associated with the Tropicalia artistic movement of the 1960s, died Wednesday at the age of 77.

The news was announced by her public relations agency on Twitter, which confirmed with "profound sadness" that Costa had passed away this morning.

The exact cause of her death was not confirmed, with details regarding her wake and burial to be released at a later stage.

"We appreciate everyone's love at this difficult time," her team added in the tweet.

Costa had recently undergone surgery and following her doctor's advice had cancelled a musical performance.

The singer, who lived in Sao Paulo, had been expected to perform in mid-December.

Costa was born on Sept. 26, 1945 in Brazil's northern city of Salvador and began her music journey in the 1960s, releasing her first EP, Maria da Graça, in 1965 and her first album two years later.

Costa, whose real name was Maria da Graça Costa Penna Burgos, was a prominent singer within the Tropicalia movement, which used foreign sounds and instruments along with typical Brazilian ones to make uniquely Brazilian music.​​​​​​​

Tropicalia became popular towards the end of the 1960s alongside popular artists like Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso.

During her career, Costa released over 30 studio albums and in 2011 received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brazil’s President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva paid tribute to the singer, describing her as "one of the best singers in the world" on Twitter while noting that she helped export Brazil and its sounds to the world.

"Her talent, technique and temerity enriched and renewed our culture, shaped and marked the lives of millions of Brazilians," wrote Lula, adding that her legacy, work, memory and songs "will be eternal."

He also paid his condolences to her family, friends and admirers.