Gloria Estefan Says ‘Laughter’ Is the Secret to Her Marriage to Emilio

Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio are still going strong after 47 years of marriage!

The music legend will be a guest on the Wednesday, Sept. 25 episode of the Jennifer Hudson Show, and in a preview clip, Gloria opened up about the secrets to her happy union with Emilio, 72.

When Hudson, 44, asked her the “key to longevity” in a relationship, Gloria replied that her marriage has “gone very quickly,” adding that Emilio “makes me laugh every day, sometimes not even meaning to. He’s a very funny dude.”

Continuing on to describe Emilio’s other character traits, Gloria said her man is “very absent-minded and a little crazy,”

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Hudson and Gloria then moved on to discuss how Emilio asked her to be his wife way back in 1978. “He had the ring burning a hole in his pocket,” Gloria laughed, adding that he had initially planned to pop the question on Valentine’s Day, but he was too impatient.

Emilio eventually asked Gloria to marry him after waking up from a nap with his mother present. On being presented a box containing an engagement ring, Gloria said, “I’m thinking, do I kiss you? Do I kiss your mother?”

Adding that his mother “wanted to be a part of it,” Gloria noted that Emilio asked her to marry him on February 12 as he “couldn’t wait” until Valentine’s Day!

Elsewhere in the interview, Hudon complimented Gloria on her youthful looks and the “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” star explained that music is her secret. “Music keeps us young, creating, being able to make something, it keeps you alive,” Gloria — who released her new album Raíces in May — said. 

Earlier this month, Gloria and Emilio marked their 47th anniversary with a social media post sharing the sweet surprise he had planned for her on the occasion.

On Sept. 2, Gloria shared a photo on Instagram revealing an adorable handwritten note left on a table, with a small gold heart resting on top of it. A framed photo of the couple kissing could be seen in the background on the table in the image.

Emilio’s note to his wife read, “Love you! To forever. 47 more to come,” and was signed, “Love, baby.”

In the photo’s caption, the star shared, “One of the many reasons I love you so much! Happy 47th Anniversary, mi morito lindo! I love you forever! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

On Monday, Sept. 1 — Gloria’s birthday — Emilio, 72, shared a touching tribute to his wife on Instagram, alongside a photo from their 1978 wedding.

“After 47 years by your side, I continue to give thanks for the incredible family we have built and for having found in you the greatest gift of my life,” he wrote. 

“It has been a blessing to share this journey with you, a woman I deeply admire. May God continue to bless us with health to enjoy our family and our career together. Happy birthday and happy early anniversary!”