Sept. 6, 1963 - Margarita Sierra, 25, one of the stars of the ABC-TV series “Surfside 6,” died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Hollywood following major heart surgery. The young Spanish-born actress learned four months ago that her heart had a faulty valve and she would have to undergo an operation. She rested four months in preparation for the surgery. The operation was performed yesterday by a team of specialists. It was understood Miss Sierra’s case was complicated by a weakness in the wall of the aorta. Miss Sierra was born in Madrid and was a child star in Spain before coming to the U.S. in 1956. She was an outstanding flamenco singer and appeared in the Hollywood Bowl and the nation’s top supper clubs before Warner Brothers signed her in 1960 to play the part of Cha Cha O’Brien in “Surfside 6.” Episodes of the program often featured Miss Sierra singing — usually in English, but occasionally in Spanish. “The Cha Cha Twist,” a song featured during the show’s second and final season last year, was released as a single on Warner Brothers Records. Funeral arrangements are pending.
