Astrud Gilberto

Born Astrud Evangelina Weinert in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, to a Brazilian mother and a German father, Astrud Gilberto's initial foray into the world of music was less about a calculated career move and more about a casual invitation to sing on her then-husband João Gilberto's album. Before that, she was just a normal person with a normal name, Weinert, which, while German, offers no particular "Jew or Not Jew" intrigue. Her mother being Brazilian only adds to the non-Jewishness of the whole affair.

Her big break came in 1964 with "The Girl from Ipanema," which, let's be honest, wouldn't have been the same without her cool, almost detached delivery. It was less about belting it out and more about whispering sweet nothings into the microphone, making her an unlikely superstar. This achievement, a global phenomenon that put bossa nova on the map, is certainly kvell-worthy for Brazil and music lovers everywhere, but not so much for the tribe.

Despite her immense musical impact, she never showed any inclination towards Jewish identity or origin. She remained Astrud Gilberto, the voice of Ipanema, a non-Jewish icon of Brazilian music. We're pretty sure "kvelling" wasn't on her mind when she recorded that legendary track; more likely, it was just getting the notes right and perhaps wondering what was for dinner.