Ofelia Fox

Who was Ofelia Fox?

Ofelia Fox, born Ofelia Suárez in Havana, Cuba, was a poet, lecturer and radio personality whose life as the wife of a Havana nightclub owner was chronicled in the book Tropicana Nights: the Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub. .

Ofelia Suárez grew up in Cuba with three siblings. She published several books of poetry, and at the age of 29, she married businessman Martin Fox. Her husband became owner of the legendary Tropicana Club in Havana. It was there that Ofelia Fox first met many Hollywood stars and celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Nat King Cole, Ernest Hemingway, Carmen Miranda and Tyrone Power.

In Cuba of the 1950s, Ofelia Fox became a well-known nightlife personality, as she was often by her husband's side at the nightclub. Under Martin Fox's ownership, the Tropicana Club flourished and became one of the most well-known entertainment venues in the world. Revolutionary forces, under the command of Fidel Castro, took over the club in 1959, prompting Martin and Ofelia to move to Miami. The couple, who had no children, lived for five years in Miami, where Ofelia became friends Rosa Sánchez.

When Martin died of a stroke in 1964, Ofelia and Rosa moved to Glendale, California, near Los Angeles. Their house became a meeting place for Cubans living in California, and domino parties were common.