Susana Estrada(I)

Ángela Susana Pereda Estrada (professionally known as Susana Estrada) is a Spanish actress, vedette, and singer. Coming from a mining family in Gijón, Asturias, she initially worked as a librarian at the Ateneo Jovellanos before pursuing her artistic ambitions. In the early 1970s, Estrada made the pivotal decision to relocate to Madrid to launch her entertainment career, beginning with modest performances in café-théâtre venues. Her transition from these humble beginnings to film work marked the start of what would become a significant career in Spanish cinema during a transformative period in the country's history. Estrada quickly established herself as a prominent figure in the Spanish film industry, particularly within the genre known as 'uncovered cinema' (cine destape), which emerged during Spain's transition to democracy following the Franco era. Her notable film appearances include 'Las tres perfectas casadas' (1973), 'The Young Dracula' (1976), and 'Blood and Passion' (1976), among others. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, she appeared in numerous productions that challenged the conservative social norms of previous decades, often taking on roles that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in Spanish entertainment. Her work extended beyond acting to include performances as a vedette and recording artist, demonstrating her versatility as an entertainer. A defining moment in her career occurred in February 1978 when she received a prize for being the most popular actress of the year from future Madrid mayor Enrique Tierno Galván, an event that was captured in an iconic photograph that became emblematic of Spain's democratic transition. This image, showing Estrada receiving her award with characteristic confidence and poise, symbolized the cultural shift occurring in Spanish society during this historic period. Estrada is widely recognized as one of the most prominent actresses of the 'uncovered cinema' movement and is considered one of the most provocative and uninhibited performers of Spain's transition to democracy era, cementing her place as a significant cultural figure who helped define a generation's approach to freedom of expression in Spanish entertainment.