Gloria Estefan says tour will be last

MIAMI, June 30 (UPI) -- Gloria Estefan's current world tour is her last with post-tour plans to include producing a Connie Francis film and authoring a book, the pop singer said.

Estefan shared her retirement plans with her fans in a letter she posted on her Web site, http://ultrastar.com/gloria/tour.

After touring to "as many places as I possibly can and give you one more hug," Estefan said she has several projects she wants to complete.

"I really want to get this movie about Connie Francis filmed. I've been working with her for over two years and I'm anxious to finally get it into production," Estefan said. "Also, I have already started writing a 'book' in my head. Now I want to be able to put it on paper."

The former Miami Sound Machine singer also said she wants to write a book and will continue to write and record music.

Estefan kicks off the U.S. leg of her tour July 30 in Hidalgo, Texas, and closes Sept. 25 in Miami. International dates are expected to keep Estefan on the road into 2005.