Fat Joe Mourns Death Of Beloved Mother Marie Cartagena At Age 77

Hip-hop legend Fat Joe is mourning the death of his mother, Marie Del Carmen Cartagena, who died at the age of 77. This latest news follows his father Ernesto Cartagena's death in April, piling more suffering onto the rapper's story.

Known for his substantial family values and humble Bronx upbringing, Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, announced the tragic news in a heartfelt Instagram tribute on May 3. And the announcement, with Mother's Day less than a week away, is all the more poignant. "This a real one, rest in peace to the woman who brought me into this world," Fat Joe wrote. "She didn't have much, but she gave us everything. Anyone who knows my Mom knows she had a heart of gold."

Marie was the epitome of sacrifice and courage. As celebrated and successful as her son had become, she never lost touch with her roots or her longtime Bronx neighborhood. In his lament, Fat Joe remembered how his mother wouldn't move out of the projects, even when he had the means to give her a different life. "She loved her community, her people," he said.

A strong, resilient, and loving woman, Marie was more than a matriarch to her family as she was a symbol of enduring love. She married Ernesto Cartagena for 60 years, and he died earlier this year at 89. Fat Joe added that her mourning her lifelong partner may have contributed to her death. "Truth is she died of a broken heart 60 years with a man and he recently just died, my Dad wanted her with him."

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The bond between his parents is the bedrock of the man Fat Joe is today. He frequently referred to his upbringing as the formative source of the man and artist he became. In interviews, he has described growing up in a close-knit Latino family and the sacrifices his parents made to raise him and his siblings in a gritty neighborhood.

Marie's departure is a devastating loss for the Cartagena household, but she will be remembered by everyone who knew her. Her loss is immeasurable, but Fat Joe's eulogy is evidence of her enduring significance. "I have to give thank's to the father my God for letting me have her in my life this long," he said gratefully.

With fans and colleagues grieving the rapper's death, it's a reminder for the hip-hop community that stars of the genre are also human beings known for much more than their music who experience the same heartbreaks and family tragedies even though they are known around the world.

The death of Marie Del Carmen Cartagena closes out an emotional year for Fat Joe on a bittersweet note. With both parents deceased, the rapper is by himself to keep their memory and the life lessons they laid down for him, loyalty, humility, and love for the community alive in this neighborhood of one-way streets and well-worn dreams.

In a world where celebrities often blur the line between public persona and private face, Fat Joe's candid, emotional farewell is a touching reminder of which connections mean the absolute most and the pain that comes when such connections snap apart. With Mother's Day around the corner, Fat Joe's tribute resonates with not just the music industry but anyone who has experienced the loss of someone they love.