Gilberto Monroig (July 2, 1937 – May 3, 1996) born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was a renowned singer of boleros.

Gilberto's parents moved from the country to the city in search of a better way of life. They settled in the Villa Palmera sector of Santurce, a section of San Juan where the musical sounds of the bomba and plena and of the tango filled the air. When he was just 10 years old, he would imitate his favorite singer, the famed Argentine singer of tangos, Carlos Gardel. His father once presented his brother, Luis with a guitar as a gift. Gilberto learned to play the guitar better than his brother and they would often fight over the instrument. Finally, Gilberto's father decided that it would be best if he bought him one also. Gilberto received his primary and secondary education in Puerto Rico and later on earn his high school equivalant diploma in New York City.

In 1943, at age 13, he joined a group called "Taone" and a year later joined another band by the name of "Maravilla". However, it was when the "Super Orchestra Tropicana" hired him that he received his first big break as a professional singer. In 1948, Pete Rivera invited Gilberto to sing for his band in the inaugaration of the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan. Pete soon left the island and headed for New York, where he organized another band. Gilberto joined Pete in New York, where he began to gain fame as a bolero singer. During his years in New York, he played for various bands and traveled to the Dominican Republic and Curacao.

In the early 1950s, Gilberto joined Tito Puente's Orchestra and recorded various songs. Among them was "Malcriada" which became a "hit". In 1955, he returned to Puerto Rico and went "solo'. He had instant "hits" with the songs "Mujer" (Women) and "Duerme, Margarita" (Sleep, Margarita). He also recorded some songs by composers Pedro Flores and Rafael Hernandez. He won his first Gold Record Award in 1959, with "Egoismo".

Gilberto returned to New York and in 1964, he won his second Gold Record Award with "Simplemente Una Illusion" (Simply an Illusion). He sang for various bands including Tito Puente's and traveled throughout the United States and Latin-America. He also made many television presentations in Puerto Rico. Gilberto had two sons and one daughter from two marriages. They are Gilberto Jr., Glenn (who followed in his footsteps) and Linda.

Gilberto Monroig died on May 3. 1996 in Santurce, Puerto Rico and is buried in the Old San Juan Cementery close to the remains of Pedro Flores, Daniel Santos and Rafael Hernandez.

Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming an avenue in San Juan after him. In 2002, he was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans