Iconic Mexican Singer Dulce Dies at 69
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 16: Singer Dulce performs during a press conference for 'Perfume De Gardenias' play at Teatro San Rafael on July 16, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images)
One of Mexico’s most famous pop icons passed away, her family revealed on Christmas day. This afternoon (Dec. 25), Dulce was confirmed to have died at age 69.
Dulce is the stage name of Bertha Elisa Noeggerath Cárdenas, who was known for her hits like “Lobo,” “Déjame Volar Contigo,” “Tu Muñeca,” and “Soy Tu Dama.” In the 1970s, Dulce started out as a member of Toby y Sus Amigos. Later that decade, legendary Mexican crooner José José helped her launch a solo career. Dulce became one of Mexico’s most iconic female voices in music during the 1980s and beyond.
On Dulce’s Instagram account, her team informed the public at the beginning of the month that she had been hospitalized. The posts mentioned that she would soon undergo surgery to improve her health. Dulce’s sister, Isabel Noeggerath, confirmed the news of her passing in a post on Facebook today. “Sister, now you’re in heaven with our mom singing to her. I’m going to miss you. Rest in peace. I love you,” Isabel wrote.
Reports about Dulce’s passing are saying she died from complications after a surgery. The procedure was pleuropulmonary and decortication, which involves removing diseased tissue from the lung, chest wall, or diaphragm. Following the news of Dulce’s death, her family has received an outpour of condolences. On X, one fan wrote in Spanish, “Oh, my heart broke a little about Dulce. You can now sing to our dear JuanGa. Rest in peace queen.” Another person wrote, “One of the most powerful voices in Mexico has departed. Her songs have forged the señora I am today.”
Dulce was also fondly remembered by Mexico’s drag and LGBTQ+ community. Last month, she appeared in a video on Instagram with trans influencer Kimberly “La Más Preciosa.” Dulce also previously posted photos with Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum and La Casa de Los Famosos México 2 runner-up Karime Pindter. Earlier this year, she starred in the Netflix reality show Siempre Reinas with Lorena Herrera and Lucía Méndez.