Carmen Amaya

Carmen Amaya
Carmen Amaya
	Posthumous monument to Carmen Amaya in Begur
Born	Carmen Amaya Amaya; November 2, 1918; Somorrostro, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Died	November 19, 1963 (aged 45); Begur, Girona, Spain
Resting place	Cemetery of Ciriego, Santander, Spain
Other names	La Capitana
Occupations	Flamenco dancer; Singer; Actress;
Years active	1924–1963
Notable work	Los Tarantos; Juan Simón's Daughter; Maria de la O;
Height	4 ft 11 in (150 cm)
Spouse	Juan Antonio Agüero González (m. 1952)
Relatives	La Chunga (cousin); Remedios Amaya (cousin); Chato Amaya (cousin); La Chunguita (cousin);
Awards	Medal of Merit of Tourism (Barcelona); Lazo of the Order of Isabella the Catholic; Adoptive Daughter of Begur; Monument at Montjuïc (Barcelona); Fountain in Somorrostro; ;

Carmen Amaya Amaya (2 November 1918 – 19 November 1963), nicknamed La Capitana (English: The Captain) was a Spanish Romani flamenco dancer and singer, born in the Somorrostro district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

She is often hailed as "the greatest Flamenco dancer ever" and "the most extraordinary personality of all time in flamenco dance." She was the first female flamenco dancer to master footwork previously reserved for the best male dancers, due to its speed and intensity. She sometimes danced in high-waisted trousers as a symbol of her strong character.