Cindy Blackman Santana — Details about Carlos Santana's Wife

Santana's frontman will go down in history as one of the world's best guitarists. But there is a fascinating woman close to his heart who blows people away with her talent. It's time to learn about Carlos Santana's wife.

During an open-air concert in Michigan, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana collapsed onstage and had to be rushed to the emergency department of McLaren Clarkston for observation.

The musician had reportedly lost consciousness about 40 minutes into his set. As the medics treated and took him off the stage, fan videos showed Carlos waving to the concert-goers.

As people expressed their concerns about the state of his health, his wife Cindy posted an update on her Instagram page, thanking all well-wishers. She said:

"Hi, Everyone! Carlos & I thank you so much for your prayers, love, care & concern for him! Please know that he's resting and doing very well! He was diagnosed with heat exhaustion & dehydration."

She further revealed that temperatures were high on the stage, coupled with the fact that he had not drunk enough water, which caused him to be dehydrated. However, Cindy assured his fans that Carlos would soon be as good as new.

FACTS ABOUT CINDY BLACKMAN SANTANA

Cindy is a famous drummer who has played with her husband in his band, Santana. She was born on November 18, 1959, and studied at the Hartt School of Music and the Berklee College of Music before becoming a drummer for Lenny Kravitz in 1993.

The artist has worked with many giants in the music industry, like jazz musicians Freddie Hubbard and Sam Rivers. Cindy has also collaborated with Patti LaBelle, the Drifters, and toured with the likes of Cassandra Wilson and Hugh Masakela.

She is also a vocalist, musician, and artist in her own right, with 11 albums by 2020. Speaking about making music, especially in the jazz genre, she said:

“I think of playing [music] as controlled freedom...As you’re going along, you can change the color, the feel, the mood in different ways, or go off the chart and open it up to something new. Controlled freedom is an incredible discipline requiring a lot of focus. Improvisation like that is art in its highest form.”

CINDY BLACKMAN SANTANA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CARLOS SANTANA

Cindy met Carlos at a European festival while she was touring with Lenny. Despite the 13-year age difference, they soon fell in love. Carlos believed they were blessed to have found each other. In the spring of 2010, the lovebirds played on a stage together for the first time.

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That same year, the rock guitarist proposed to Cindy onstage during a concert in Chicago. Sony Music reported that she said yes, and the crowd went crazy as the two locked lips. In the official statement, Carlos shared:

“Being in love is a gift from the universe, and the spirit and vibrations that come with it are infinitely powerful. I look forward to expressing that incredible energy through my music, and in helping to tip the balance toward more love in the world with what Cindy and I share.”

After his proposal, the couple got married on December 11, 2010, at the Ritz-Carlton on Maui as the sky opened up. They weren't phased by the wet weather, with Carlos later stating that rain or no rain, the sun would shine wherever he and Cindy went.

Cindy donned a customized silk dress from Zoro, a luxury bridal boutique in Zürich, Switzerland, for the ceremony. There were almost 200 people in attendance, including artists Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, who played at the wedding reception.

The groom expressed awe at the musical performances, saying it took the wedding ceremony to a new level. In addition, the couple released doves as a sign of liberating their purity and love into the cosmos.

After the two said their "I do's," they went on their honeymoon in Hawaii, which marked the beginning of their marriage, and it has lasted just over a decade. As Carlos went back to work after their honeymoon, he said:

"Cindy is a match with everything that I am, from fire of passion to vulnerability. Everything tastes better when you share it with your soul mate."

One sign of a healthy married couple is their respect and admiration for one another. Carlos certainly holds his wife in high regard, especially when it comes to her talents. He has stated that Cindy taught him a lot about the art of drumming and the legends associated with it, like Tony Williams and Art Blakey.

Not only that, but the prolific guitarist also pushed his wife out of her comfort zone, encouraging her to share her singing voice with the world. Cindy recalled the first time her husband suggested she make an album including her vocals.

She remembered how she quickly dismissed the idea. However, after some discussion, she became more open to the idea of singing and has used different aspects of her musical talents on her 11 solo albums.

WAS CARLOS SANTANA MARRIED BEFORE?

Carlos was married to Deborah Santana for over three decades, and they had three children together. When they divorced in 2007, they cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.

In 2005, Deborah released a memoir, "Space Between the Stars," claiming that her ex-husband was guilty of infidelity. After it was published, the musician expressed remorse for his actions and made amends to be a better person.

Carlos, who said he was aware of the mistakes he made in his marriage, stated:

"I sincerely apologized to her and to my kids when I wasn't in my right mind and did something hurtful. It has helped me become more humble and to try harder to be the man she wants me to be."

The guitarist's ex-wife was born Deborah King to famous blues musician Saunders King on January 30, 1951. She graduated with a master's in philosophy and religion with a focus on women's spirituality from the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Almost three years after she filed for divorce, Carlos was ready to move on and proposed to his then-girlfriend Cindy.