Joan Sutherland was an internationally acclaimed Australian opera singer. Her first teacher was her mother, who was a singer herself, although she didn't sing professionally. Entering in various singing competitions in her teens, Joan Sutherland got her first brush with professional training after winning a singing competition. She burst into the scene in a grand way, after her performance as 'Lucia', with newspapers all around the globe giving her the moniker 'La Stupenda'. Famous for her honey-like melodious voice, Joan Sutherland faced some backlash for her lack of diction in later years, which she worked hard to correct with apparent success. She won many prestigious awards, including a 'Grammy', made an appearance on the 'Queen's Honour List' and Birthday Honours List, and received a posthumous induction into 'Gramophone' magazine's first 'Hall of Fame'. Choosing to remain far away from the public eye after her retirement, she made just a few sporadic appearances. Her fame still didn’t diminish, however, with multiple educational institutions across Australia honoring her contribution to music, dedicating entire facilities in her name. Joan Sutherland died of heart failure in her home in Switzerland at the age of 83.