Person of the Year - 10 Years, 10 Latin Music Icons

Juan Gabriel is the Latin Recording Academy's 'Person of the Year' for 2009. With this honor, the Academy pays homage to a man who has spent a lifetime composing and performing songs that have made the world sing along.

In addition to her status as an international superstar and multiple Grammy/Latin Grammy award winner, Estefan was also be honored for her philanthropic, professional and cultural accomplishments.

Gloria Estefan is the first woman honored with this prestigious award. About time!

In 2007, Guerra released his phenomenally successful La Llave De Mi Corazon, which went on to win six Latin Grammy Awards including Album of the Year.

But Martin didn't stop to steep himself in glory. Instead he formed The Ricky Martin Foundation, turning the spotlight on the tragic plight of the world's children and the persistent problem of child exploitation and slavery.

Martin's last award-winning album, Ricky Martin: MTV Unplugged, was released in 2006 and won two Latin Grammy awards in 2007.

From 1969 - 2001, Jose Jose recorded 35 albums, many of which went gold or platinum. He has sold more than 40 million albums and been nominated for six Grammy awards and has his own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Over the years, Jose Jose has suffered from a series of health issues that have affected his ability to sing, but his popularity remains untarnished.

Santana has sold more than 90 million albums, is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, won 10 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammys, and has a long history of social activism and contributions to humanitarian causes through his Milagro Foundation.

Carlos Santana appeared as #15 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list in 2003.

Gil gave up that role in 2008 to devote more time to his music, and Brazilian music fans can only sit back and await the next chapter in what is sure to be further innovation and great music.

As is traditional, a gala tribute dinner was held for Iglesias the night before the scheduled second annual Latin Grammy awards program was due to be broadcast on Sept. 11, 2001. Iglesias got his well-deserved night, but the awards program was canceled in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy.

Born in Havana, his family moved to Miami where he started the Miami Latin Boys (he played accordion), which later became the Miami Sound Machine and - not inconsequentially - married his lead singer, Gloria Estefan. Emilio then went on to become a hugely successful producer and arranger, working with some of the biggest names in Latin music.

Emilio Estefan has been nominated for 28 Grammy awards (and counting) and has won 14 of them.