Mimy Succar biography: the mother of Peruvian salsa with two Grammys

Editorial note: while researching this article, Famosix confirmed that Mimy Succar is the mother of salsa musician Tony Succar, not his sister, as is sometimes mistakenly assumed on social media. They share a music career and have won awards together, but their actual family relationship is mother and son, according to sources including Wikipedia and reports by El Comercio and Infobae.

At 65, when many artistic careers are considered over, Mimy Succar made history: she became the first Peruvian woman to win a Grammy. Her story, however, did not begin in 2025. It began decades earlier at a school in Lima, continued in Miami alongside her pianist husband and carries on today as she sings with her son Tony Succar. Here is Mimy Succar’s full biography, updated to 2026.

Who is Mimy Succar?

Mimy Succar, whose birth name is Miriam Tayrako Sakaguchi, is a Peruvian singer, songwriter and music producer of Japanese descent. She was born on September 21, 1959, in Pueblo Libre, Lima. She is known as the mother of salsa musician Tony Succar and for winning two Grammy Awards alongside him in 2025. In 2026, she remains active in music with her family.

Mimy Succar: quick facts

Mimy Succar: childhood and early years

Miriam Tayrako Sakaguchi was born on September 21, 1959, in the Lima district of Pueblo Libre, into a family with Japanese roots. She grew up in the Peruvian-Japanese neighborhood of Lurigancho-Chosica, where the Nikkei community kept its cultural traditions alive in Peru.

Her first experience with music came through school performances, long before she considered a professional career. Her path into music took an unexpected turn in 1978: she competed for and won the Miss Nikkei Peru title, then represented the country in an international pageant in Brazil, where she received the Miss Congeniality and Best National Costume awards.

It was in that setting that she met Antonio Succar, a pianist and naval officer of Lebanese descent. He would become her husband and the person who encouraged her to sing professionally.

Mimy Succar’s career

It took decades for Mimy Succar’s career to gain broad recognition, but she built it steadily from the late eighties onward, eventually becoming one of the most respected Peruvian salsa voices abroad.

Key milestones in her career:

• 1978: wins the Miss Nikkei Peru pageant and represents the country in Brazil.
• 1989: moves with her husband Antonio Succar and their children to Miami, United States, in search of better opportunities.
• 1990: forms the music project Mistura with her husband, an early foundation for her career as Mimy Succar, with a band that grew to twelve musicians.
• 2019: releases her solo debut album “Más de mí,” which earns two Latin Grammy Awards, including Best Salsa Album.
• 2023: releases “Mimy & Tony” with her son Tony Succar, establishing them as a duo in contemporary salsa.
• 2025: wins two Grammy Awards in the main awards program for “Alma, corazón y salsa (en vivo en el Gran Teatro Nacional)” and “Bemba Colorá” with Sheila E. and Gloria Estefan.

Before becoming an internationally known solo artist, Mimy Succar spent years supporting her family and the musical careers of her children, especially Tony Succar, now an influential Latin American salsa producer and percussionist. At Famosix, we highlight that journey: a career she put on hold for years before reaching its peak later in her artistic life.

Mimy Succar: discography and featured projects

Mimy Succar’s personal life

Mimy Succar is married to pianist and former naval officer Antonio Succar. Since the late eighties, they have built both a family and a music project together. They have three children: Tony Succar, a percussionist and one of today’s best-known salsa producers; Claudia Succar, a singer; and Brian “Kenji” Succar, a music producer. All three have collaborated with her at different points in her career.

The family moved to Miami in 1989 in search of better economic and professional opportunities. That decision proved important for all of their music careers, including Mimy’s, although she spent years prioritizing her children’s development over her solo work.

At Famosix, this story matters because it corrects a common social-media mix-up: Mimy is Tony Succar’s mother, not his “sister,” and much of her recent success is directly linked to their family and musical relationship.

Interesting facts about Mimy Succar

• She won the Miss Nikkei Peru title in 1978 before pursuing music professionally.
• She is of Japanese descent and grew up in the Nikkei neighborhood of Lurigancho-Chosica.
• She became the first Peruvian woman to win a Grammy Award.
• She released her solo debut album “Más de mí” after turning 59.
• She won two Grammys at the same ceremony in 2025: one with her son Tony and another with Sheila E. and Gloria Estefan.
• Her husband, Antonio Succar, is a pianist and served as a naval officer before making music with her.
• Her three children —Tony, Claudia and Brian “Kenji”— all work professionally in music.

Mimy Succar in 2026

In 2026, Mimy Succar continues her established music career after her historic double Grammy win in 2025. She keeps working with her son Tony Succar on new projects and live performances, building on the international attention brought by “Alma, corazón y salsa” and “Bemba Colorá.”

At Famosix, we follow an artist whose path shows that recognition can come at any stage of life. Learn more about today’s Peruvian salsa in our ranking of Peruvian singers.

Conclusion

Mimy Succar went from singing at school performances to becoming the first Peruvian woman to win a Grammy. It is a story of persistence that she now shares on stage with her son Tony Succar. At 67, she continues to show that Peruvian salsa has a global reach. Discover more stories about Peruvian music on Famosix.

Sources consulted

• Wikipedia (English): Mimy Succar
• ¡HOLA!: Mimy Succar, the singer whose talent knows no limits
• El Comercio: She gave everything for her children; now she has won a Grammy — Mimy Succar’s story
• Infobae: Mimy Succar, the surprise that changed her life in 2023 and led to two Grammys in 2025
• FIU News: Tony Succar accepts Best Tropical Latin Album Grammy