Rita Moreno

A Memoir

By: Rita Moreno

Narrated by: Rita Moreno

In this luminous memoir, Rita Moreno shares her remarkable journey from a young girl with simple beginnings in Puerto Rico to Hollywood legend—and one of the few performers, and the only Hispanic, to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two Emmys.

Born Rosita Dolores Alverio in the idyll of Puerto Rico, Moreno, at age five, embarked on a harrowing sea voyage with her mother and wound up in the harsh barrios of the Bronx, where she discovered dancing, singing, and acting as ways to escape a tumultuous childhood. Making her Broadway debut by age thirteen—and moving on to Hollywood in its Golden Age just a few years later—she worked alongside such stars as Gary Cooper, Yul Brynner, and Ann Miller.

When discovered by Louis B. Mayer of MGM, the wizard himself declared: “She looks like a Spanish Elizabeth Taylor.” Cast by Gene Kelly as Zelda Zanders in Singin’ in the Rain and then on to her Oscar-winning performance in West Side Story, she catapulted to fame—yet found herself repeatedly typecast as the “utility ethnic,” a role she found almost impossible to elude.

Here, for the first time, Rita reflects on her struggles to break through Hollywood’s racial and sexual barriers. She explores the wounded little girl behind the glamorous façade—and what it took to find her place in the world. She talks candidly about her relationship with Elvis Presley, her encounters with Howard Hughes, and the passionate romance with Marlon Brando that drove her to attempt suicide. And she shares the illusiveness of a “perfect” marriage and the incomparable joys of motherhood.

Infused with Rita Moreno’s quick wit and deep insight, this memoir is the dazzling portrait of a stage and screen star who longed to become who she really is—and triumphed.

Critic reviews

“It's clear Rita Moreno was a pioneer in every aspect of her life.”—The Huffington Post

“Sure to inspire and empower, straight from our very own living legend and the original triple threat: Rita Moreno.”—Being Latino

Amazing

It was such a delight to listen to Rita Moreno discuss her life with vivid imagery, introspection, thoughtfulness and laughter. It was as if I stood by her side through each of her stories and learned with her the secrets and emotions of life. Thank you, Rita. I hope to meet you some day!

Wonderfully emotional

I loved Rita Moreno before listening to her tell her story and now I love her even more.
Great Listen

Strength from darkness

This book showed the darkness that being a female of color in the business brought. Rita faced many of the same obstacles as a white actress of her time but at times was more in demand behind the scenes for these men. Having to hide behind paint and to keep taking native jobs just to keep acting sucked. She was a force of nature and even up until her suicide attempt she knew beauty would get her places as a Latina woman. This book told the real ups,and downs of life without sugar coating it. really nice read and I would recommend it to anyone!

wonderful

I love Rita, her story made me smile, laugh, and cry. loved it! Gracias Rita for sharing your story.

Beutiful memoir!

Rita Moreno is amazing. I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. Rita was raw, unapologetic and beautiful in every sentence. Bravo!