[8] Circa 1938,[9] Silva and her mother moved to New York, where she started a career in radio, theater and musical plays.
In the late 1930s, she met the Puerto Rican composer Rafael Hernández, who convinced her to join his Cuarteto Victoria.
[13] In 1944, she wrote "Asi es la Vida" ("That's Life") and "Facil de Recordar" ("Easy to Remember") while she was performing in Havana, Cuba.
When she decided to leave the group she was replaced by Celia Cruz, a young school teacher turned singer who went on to become known as the "Queen of Salsa.
"[14] This character created a lot of controversy between public figures and the television station, and as a consequence, Silva decided to leave the program and return to New York City.
During the mid 1960s, Silva hosted a weekly music variety TV show Una Hora Contigo (An Hour with You) on New York City's first Spanish language television station, WNJU-TV Channel 47.
In the 1970s, Silva wrote "No Te Vayas de Mi Vida" ("Stay In My Life") which was recorded and made popular by Evelyn Souffront.
In 1971, Silva returned to Puerto Rico with her television show Una Hora Contigo which this time was transmitted on Canal 11.
Silva died on December 2, 1987, in Arecibo, aged 60 and was buried in Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, Puerto Rico.