Who Is Julia Colón Craig, Wife of Willie Colón?

The music industry is in shock over Willie Colon’s passing. On February 21, 2026, the iconic Puerto Rican said goodbye to the world at the age of 75. In a statement released by his family, the renowned music producer and composer “passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.” His passing, however, is a significant blow to Latin music. In the meantime, his personal life—particularly his wife, Julia Colon Craig, who supported him over his decades-long career—had come into the public eye. Julia and their kids are Willie Colon’s survivors, and they supported him in his last moments, according to ABC7.

Despite being married to one of the most prominent people in salsa, Julia Colon, Willie Colon’s wife, has largely avoided the spotlight. Willie and Julia were wed for over thirty years. They reared three of his four children at the same time. Julia chose to keep her life quiet, in contrast to her husband, who spent a large portion of his life in the spotlight. She prioritizes their family and provides behind-the-scenes assistance for Willie’s career. In the creative community, she was also acknowledged for her contribution to the preservation of Willie’s artistic legacy through biographical accounts of his career.

After all these years, Julia first gained notoriety in April 2021 when she and Willie Colon were engaged in a major recreational vehicle accident in North Carolina. Both of them suffered serious injuries in the collision, according to Hindustan Times and NPR. Willie specifically experienced spinal issues and head injuries. However, despite being hurt as well, Julia was released from the hospital before her husband. Willie had a long time to recuperate from the accident, and despite the tragedy, Julia was by his side, thus it was a challenging time for the marriage. Her unwavering support enabled him to manage the demands of both his medical rehabilitation and his professional music career.

Willie Colon’s cause of death has not yet been determined. However, according to some media, including Hindustan Times and NPR, he was admitted to the hospital in New York because of respiratory issues. Rubén Blades, Willie’s fellow artist, also publicly expressed his support and expressed concern after hearing that the Salsa star had been taken to a hospital for immediate treatment. It’s unclear, though, if those respiratory issues were the direct cause of his passing. Notably, Willie passed away following a lengthy medical history that included serious injuries sustained in an accident in 2021.

The South Bronx is where Willie Anthony Colón Román was born. Willie transformed salsa as a musical genre and a cultural movement, according to NPR and Fania Records. El Malo, his debut album, marked the start of his career at the age of sixteen. Willie collaborated with singer Héctor Lavoe on his debut album. They eventually collaborated and produced hits including Juana Peña, La Murga, Abuelita, El Día de Mi Suerte, Calle Luna, and Calle Sol. Over the course of his career, Willie has released over 30 albums. In return, he was nominated for multiple Grammys and got countless Gold and Platinum distinctions. He collaborated with renowned performers like Celia Cruz and Rubén Blades at the same time.