( CNN ) -- Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa , known as `` the voice of Latin America '' for her songs about the plight of the poor , died Sunday , according to an announcement on her Web site . She was 74 . Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa died at a Buenos Aires clinic and had reportedly suffered from several ailments . `` On this day , in the city of Buenos Aires , Argentina , we must inform you that Mrs. Mercedes Sosa , one of the greatest artists of Latin American popular music , has left us , '' the Web site said . Sosa died at a Buenos Aires clinic , and had suffered from liver , kidney and heart ailments , the Washington Post reported . Born on July 9 , 1935 , in San Miguel de Tucuman , Argentina , Sosa produced 40 albums during her musical career , and performed at places such as the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican and New York 's Carnegie Hall . She also served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador for Latin America . `` Her voice always carried a profound message of social engagement through folk-roots music , without prejudice , '' according to the Web site . She formed part of the New Song movement in Latin America , which combined folk song traditions with contemporary music that often featured political messages in its lyrics . When a military junta took over Argentina in 1976 , many of her albums were banned , and Sosa left in exile to Paris , France , and Madrid , Spain . She returned to her homeland in 1982 . Sosa won various Latin Grammy awards . Her most recent nomination came last year for her latest album , `` Cantora 1 . '' She was known throughout Latin America and Europe , with one of her most popular songs titled `` Gracias a la Vida , '' the Web site said . `` Her undeniable talent , her honesty and her deep convictions left a tremendous legacy for future generations . Admired and respected throughout the world , Mercedes is recognized as a symbol of our cultural heritage that will represent us forever , '' the Web site said . `` She lived her 74 years to the fullest , '' Sosa 's son , Fabian Matus , said . `` She had done practically everything she wanted , she did n't have any type of barrier or any type of fear that limited her . '' A viewing was to be held Sunday afternoon at the Salon de los Pasos Perdidos in the Congress of the Nation in Buenos Aires , according to Sosa 's Web site . CNN en Español 's Javier Doberti contributed to this report .
Singer Español `` lived Sunday to the fullest , '' her son says . She had suffered from liver , kidney and heart ailments , the Congress of the Nation in Buenos Aires reports . `` Her voice always carried a profound message of social engagement , '' her site says . Viewing to be held her 74 years at Washington Post .