In Brazil and throughout Latin America, Xuxa is a cultural icon. Born Maria da Graça Meneghel, she was born in Rio Grande do Sul in the far south of Brazil and moved to Rio de Janeiro at age 7. She began modeling as a teenager, and dated two iconic Brazilian athletes: Pelé and Ayrton Senna. She became best known as an actress and singer, for her movies and TV shows for kids, who she calls “baixinhos” (little ones). Her TV show, movies, and songs are famous in Brazil and also in Latin America, where they’re dubbed in Spanish. She’s also a philanthropist, and has her own foundation.

One of Xuxa’s most famous songs (in Portuguese and Spanish) is the theme song from her show, called Ilariê. Ask any Brazilian born in the 1980s, and they’ll very likely know all the words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y08yu0j3vLw

One of Xuxa’s most famous TV shows is her annual Christmas special. Here’s one of her more recent ones, though there were some really entertaining ones from the 80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CIJ5yscdXQ

She also has celebrities on her TV show. Here’s Beyoncé, who appeared on her show earlier this month. She talked about how some of her songs are being used on Brazilian novelas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJIJToTiSgE

Earlier this year, Hebe Camargo, a famous TV personality, did a special on Xuxa and interviewed her about some of her charity work. Watch below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpR124yLlkA