Known for her dream-like vocals, she is credited with helping Brazilian music reach a worldwide audience.

It was Paul Ricci, a fellow recording artist and family friend, who broke the news.

I just got word from her son Marcelo that we have lost Astrud Gilberto, he wrote onFacebook.

Singer Astrud Gilberto, who has died at age 83, walking down the street when she was young.

Photo:Brazilian National Archivesvia Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

He asked for this to be posted.

It was written in 1962 by Antonio Carlos Jobim featuring original Portuguese lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes.

The well-known English lyrics were later written by American songwriter Norman Gimbel.

Singer Astrud Gilberto, who has died at age 83, during a performance.

Photo:Kroon, Ron / Anefovia Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)

Gilberto was born in Bahia, Brazil, in 1940.

She was then raised in Rio de Janeiro, where she befriended a group of up and coming musicians.

While she enjoyed singing with her closest circlewhich included de Moraesshe had never thought to do it professionally.

Singer Astrud Gilberto, who has died at age 83, walking down the street when she was young.

Photo:Brazilian National Archivesvia Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Her star-making turn took place during a trip to New York.

Fortunately, a year later, the song was re-edited and released with her English vocals alone.

As for Gilberto herself, in 2008, she received a Latin Grammy for lifetime achievement.

Despite never having another hit the size of The Girl from Ipanema, her rendition changed music history forever.

Listen to Gilbertos version of Girl from Ipanema.