In December 2002 , Cruz was sidelined by a brain tumor . In early 2003 , following a partially successful surgery to remove the tumor , Cruz returned to the studio to record '' Regalo del Alma '' , weeks after the operation . Cruz later died on 16 July 2003 of brain cancer , at the age of 77 . " Rie y Llora " was released as the lead single from the album in July 2003 . Cruz asked that the song be the lead single for the album , " as it was the song in which she identified with . " The song received an American Society of Composers , Authors and Publishers award for Tropical Song of the Year in 2004 . At the Latin Grammy Awards of 2004 , the song won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Song . At the ceremony , '' Regalo del Alma '' was awarded the Latin Grammy Award for Best Salsa Album . It also received the Grammy Award for Best Salsa/Merengue Album at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards . At the 2004 Latin Billboard Music Awards , the song received a nomination for " Tropical Airplay Track of the Year by a Female Artist "
46th Annual Grammy Awards
46th Annual Grammy Awards
Ella Tiene Fuego