She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy in 2009… And, now Tania Libertad is being honored once again for her 50-year artistic career.

The 59-year-old Peruvian singer has been awarded the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service in the “degree of great officer” by Peruvian Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo.

“To be honored by my country not only moves me deeply but also makes me a very privileged person,” the singer told guests at the palace.

In a ceremony at the presidential palace in Lima, Roncagliolo pinned the medal on the famed Peruvian artist, who has spent more than 30 years living in Mexico.

Even though she hasn’t been physically in Peru for many years, Libertad says it’s always in her heart and in her roots.

“I began this wonderful vocation when I was a very little girl,” said Libertad, who has recorded 38 albums and sold more than 40 million copies. “Music has been my whole life and I had the luck to always have great creative people around me, great artists who taught me to stay on the right road.”

Libertad has previously said she feels regret over leaving Peru to pursue greater career opportunities in Mexico.

“In Mexico I had many more possibilities. I already live there for more than twenty years now,” she sad. “It is difficult, and it makes me sad sometimes, not to be in Peru. But when I do concerts over there, I always receive a warm welcome. They are proud of me.”

And Libertad—who has shared the stage with stars like Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bose, Pablo Milanes and Vicente Fernandez—says she’ll continue spreading the “wonderful culture of Peru” to people around the world with her music.

Tags: Armando Manzanero, Miguel Bose, Order of Merit for Distinguished Service, Pablo Milanes, Rafael Roncagliolo, Tania Libertad, Vicente Fernandez

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