Myrta Silva Myrta Silva ( a.k . a . `` La Gorda De Oro `` ) ( born September 11 , 1917 – December 2 , 1987 in Arecibo , Puerto Rico ) was a singer , composer and T.V. producer . Myrta Silva Myrta 's father died when she was only six years old . She was raised by her mother , known by Myrta and her fans as `` Mama Yeya `` , who was also her source of inspiration . In 1927 , Myrta made her first public presentation at the `` Oliver Theater '' in Arecibo . In 1928 , Myrta and her mother moved to New York , where she was to start a career in radio , theater and musical plays . Myrta worked in a cabaret when she was `` discovered '' and offered a 10 year contract by `` RCA `` . In the late 1930 's , she met the renowned Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernandez , who convinced her to join his `` Cuarteto Victoria '' . Myrta traveled with the group all over Latin-America . Sometime later , she was also to sing for another renowned composer , Pedro Flores in his `` Sexteto Flores , where she was joined by Daniel Santos and Pedro Ortiz Davila `` Davilita '' . In 1941 , Myrta composed her first song `` Cuando Vuelvas '' ( When you return ) recorded by Ruth Fernandez . In 1942 , she composed `` En Mi Soledad '' ( In My Solitude ) , recorded by Daniel Santos , which became a hit in Latin-America and in the Latin communities in the United States . In 1944 , she wrote `` Asi es la Vida '' , ( That 's Live ) and `` Facil de Recordar '' ( Easy to Remember ) , which she wrote while she was performing in Havana , Cuba . Myrta had become an international singing star and was known as `` The Queen of the Guarachera `` by the her public in Latin-America . From 1947 to 1949 , she became the lead singer in the legendary Cuban guaracha-group , La Sonora Matancera , while at the sametime she continued to compose and to receive many recognitions for her work . Traveling throughout Latin America with the group , Myrta acquired many acclaims due to her performances , Argentina named her the `` best-selling artist '' in that country and in 1950 , she was proclaimed by the pre- Castro Cuban government `` The Most Popular Artist '' . When she decided to leave the group in the early 1950 , she was replaced by Celia Cruz a young school teacher turned singer who went on to become known as the `` Queen of Salsa `` . In 1956 , Myrta produced and transmitted from New York a television program called `` Una Hora Contigo '' ( An Hour with You ) . The show was transmitted by Canal 4 in Puerto Rico and Myrta moved back to the island . In her show she created the innovative character of `` Madame Chencha '' . `` Madame Chencha '' became the first T.V. character dedicated to `` rumors '' . This character created a lot of controversy between public figures and the television station , and as a consequence , Myrta decided to leave the program and return to New York . In New York , she composed `` Puerto Rico del Alma '' ( Puerto Rico of my Soul ) . Between 1962 and 1964 , she composed the following hit songs : `` Que Sabes Tu '' ( What do you know ? ) , `` Tengo que Acostumbrarme '' ( I Have To Get Used To It ) , `` Juguetes del Destino '' ( Toys of Destiny ) , and many others . In the 1970s , Myrta wrote `` No Te Vayas de Mi Vida '' ( Stay In My Life ) which was recorded and made popular by Evelyn Souffront . In 1971 , Myrta returned to Puerto Rico with her television show `` Una Hora Contigo '' which this time was transmitted on Canal 11 . The T.V. show was among the first programs in the rankings in Puerto Rico . Myrta was active in many charities and she also participated in many pro-hispanic activities in the U.S. During the 1980s Myrta had a program in the government television channel dedicated to music and composers . Myrta Silva was suffering from Alzheimer 's disease and one day while showering , she accidentally opened the hot water and suffered from 3rd degree burns . Myrta Silva died on December 2 , 1987 . See also List of famous Puerto Ricans External links You may listen to `` Que sabes tu '' by Myrta Silva : Here Popular Culture Categories : 1917 births | 1987 deaths | Puerto Rican composers | Puerto Rican singers 