Maria Bethânia

The Brazilian MPB singer Maria Bethânia was born Maria Veloso in 1946 and grew up to become part of a successful musical family with both her brother Caetano and her sister Mabel being successful musicians in their own right. In a career spanning almost half a century she has sold more than 26 million records and is one of Brazil's best known performers in the genre of MPB. Her first single was released in 1965 and in keeping with prevailing Brazilian mood of the time was a protest song. She began performing in small venues until she came to the attention of RCA Records who signed her and launched her professional career. In 2011 she became the subject of much criticism when it came to light she had been awarded a government grant to create a poetry blog. The grant was offered as part of an initiative to promote Brazilian culture but the original purpose of the fund was to promote new talent rather than be absorbed by already successful performers. The subsequent scandal did much to harm Veloso's public image in Brazil and she has avoided the glare of publicity in recent years.

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