Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III was born in the vibrant city of Santiago, Cuba, on the second day of March in the year nineteen hundred and seventeen. His father, a prominent figure in the community, held the esteemed position of mayor of Santiago. However, the 1933 revolution led by Fulgencio Batista would soon turn their lives upside down. The revolution resulted in his father's imprisonment and the family's loss of wealth, property, and influence.
The intercession of U.S. officials, who believed his father to be neutral during the revolt, ultimately led to his release. The family was forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in Miami, Florida. Desi's early days in America were marked by humble beginnings, as he found himself cleaning canary cages for a living. However, his passion for music soon led him to form his own small band of musicians.
Desi's talent and charisma eventually caught the attention of Xavier Cugat, the renowned "king" of Latin music, who hired him to perform with his orchestra. However, Desi soon left Cugat's employ and formed his own Latin band, which would go on to launch the conga craze in America. His success on stage led to a role in the Broadway play "Too Many Girls," which was later adapted into a film.
It was during the production of "Too Many Girls" that Desi met the love of his life, Lucille Ball. The couple soon tied the knot and, approximately ten years later, founded Desilu Productions, which would go on to produce the iconic television show "I Love Lucy." Desi and Lucille had two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.
After the conclusion of "I Love Lucy" and its subsequent spin-off, "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour," the couple divorced. Desi went on to write an autobiography, "A Book," which chronicled his remarkable life story. In 1986, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away on December 2nd of that year at the age of sixty-nine.
