Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.Photo: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
Rita Morenois celebrating another trip around the sun!
TheEGOT winnerturned 91 on Sunday with a surprise party from her daughterFernanda Luisa Gordon, who shared photos from the celebration to her Instagram grid and with PEOPLE.
“It was a white party with beautiful white decorations and white fairy lights to complement her fresh white condo,” Gordon tells PEOPLE.
And Moreno “was absolutely surprised” at the gathering, as “she thought that she was coming upstairs just to see a new light fixture — she didn’t realize thatthe place would be full of friends.”
“She had said to me previously how much she wished she could celebrate her birthday in her new home but she just didn’t see how to make it happen, so she was thrilled that I made it happen,” Gordon adds of her mother.
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Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.Rita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa GordonRita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.Rita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.
Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.
Rita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.
Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa GordonRita Moreno and grandson Justin Fisher.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
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“A strange man came to the door in a black suit and hat and burst into the living space to start serenading [Moreno] with oldFrank Sinatratunes [into] a microphone at the top of his lungs,” she recalls. “Most people had no idea what was going on, and we were laughing and enjoying his goofy renditions.”
But the moment the singer recognized the birthday gal was one for the books. As her daughter explains, “The funniest part was the singer did not know who she was. All he was given was the name Rita!”
“After he finished singing, he looked around and saw all of the old photos I had put up of her as part of the décor and he said, ‘Oh, I see you have Rita Moreno here on your table,’ and she said, ‘Well, I am Rita Moreno,’ and he almost died,” Gordon says. “He got on his knees and started singing songs fromWest Side Story. He was bowled over, and we were all in hysterics! … She was so touched.”
Amy Tan and Rita Moreno.Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.Amy Tan and Rita Moreno.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa GordonRita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
Amy Tan and Rita Moreno.Rita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.
Amy Tan and Rita Moreno.
Amy Tan and Rita Moreno.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa GordonRita Moreno’s 91st birthday party.PHOTO: Fernanda Luisa Gordon
Among the social-media tributes to Moreno in honor of her big day, which she shared to her Instagram Story, were ones from herWest Side Storyremake costarAriana DeBose(who won anOscarfor her portrayal of Anita, Moreno’s character from the 1961 film),Viola Davisand more.
Sharing aphoto of herself and Morenofrom the party, Tan paid tribute to the acting legend in a lengthy caption on Instagram.
“This is 91,” Tan began. “I amso lucky to have Rita Moreno in my life. We’ve known each other 21 years. She is a force for not just good but great, a source of fun and laughs, a bulls— detector, a survivor of racism in Hollywood, a generous friend in sharing ideas and stories and food, and a wide-eyed girl in go-go boots who never imagined she would one day win an Oscar,Emmy,Grammy,TonyandGolden Globe.”
“One of her friends sent a birthday singing telegram to ‘Rita Gordon.’ The singer said at one point that Rita looked 61, not 91, and that she also resembled Rita Moreno,” Tan added. “Happy birthday, Rita Moreno.”
source: people.com
