Christina María Aguilera, born December 18, 1980, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Aguilera was born in Staten Island, New York City, the eldest of two daughters to musician Shelly Loraine Kearns, and United States Army soldier Fausto Xavier Aguilera. Her father was born in Ecuador, and her mother is of German, Irish, Welsh, and Dutch ancestry. Known for her four-octave vocal range and ability to sustain high notes, she has been referred to as the "Voice of a Generation". With estimated sales over 90 million records, she is recognized as one of the world's best-selling music artists. Throughout her career, she has accumulated numerous awards and accolades, including five Grammy Awards and two Latin Grammy Awards,