Selena Quintanilla was a celebrated American Tejano singer and fashion icon from (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995). Her dedication to both music and design earned her the title “Queen of Tejano Music.” She became one of the most influential Mexican-American artists of the late 20th century.
In 2020, Billboard ranked her third on their list of the “Greatest Latino Artists of All Time” due to her dominance on the Latin albums and songs charts. She was also dubbed the “Tejano Madonna” for her bold fashion choices.
Selena began her music career as a member of the band Selena y Los Dinos, which included her brother A.B. Quintanilla, and sister Suzette Quintanilla. In the 1980s, she faced frequent discrimination and was often denied performance opportunities at Texas venues due to the male-dominated Tejano music scene.
Facts About Selena Quintanilla Pérez
| Selena Quintanilla Biography | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Selena Quintanilla Pérez |
| Birthdate | April 16, 1971 |
| Death Date | March 31, 1995 |
| Nationality | American |
| Nickname | Queen of Tejano Music |
| Band | Selena y Los Dinos |
| Top Hits | “Amor Prohibido” and “Como la Flor” |
| Breakthrough Album | Entre a Mi Mundo (1992) |
| Grammy Award | Best Mexican/American Album (1994) |
| Posthumous Album | Dreaming of You (1995) |
| Biopic | Selena (1997), starring Jennifer Lopez |
| Netflix Series | Selena: The Series (2020) |
| Number of Records Sold | Approximately 18 million worldwide |
| Cause of Death | Homicide by Yolanda Saldivar |
| Selena Day | April 16 (Declared by Texas Governor) |
Selena Quintanilla Life and Career
Here are Selena Quintanilla facts about life and career:
Selena Quintanilla Family Background
Her first name is famously Selena Quintanilla. She was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., was a former musician, while her mother, Marcella Ofelia Samora, was a homemaker. Selena was the youngest of three children in a tight-knit family. The Quintanilla family later opened a restaurant, where Selena’s musical talent would first be showcased.
Though English was Selena’s first language, her father encouraged her to sing in Spanish to connect with the Latino community. She initially learned Spanish lyrics phonetically, later mastering the language fluently. Selena’s journey as a performer began early, showing her incredible musical talent from a young age.
At around 10 years old she became the lead vocalist for her family’s band, Selena Y Los Dinos. The group performed at weddings and clubs across Texas, blending Mexican music with country and western influences. Abraham Quintanilla managed the band, with Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, on bass, and her sister, Suzette, on drums. Together, they brought a fresh Tejano sound to their performances.
Education
Selena Quintanilla Pérez had an unconventional education. She left school in eighth grade to focus on her music career with Selena y Los Dinos. Despite this, she completed her high school diploma through correspondence courses. Selena earned her diploma from the American School of Correspondence in Chicago.
Balancing her studies with music, she believed in self-growth. Even with her rising fame, education remained important to her. She pursued learning while excelling in her career. Selena’s dedication to music and education showed her commitment to personal development.
Early Career and Band Formation
Selena began her music career with the family band Selena y Los Dinos, which included her brother A.B. Quintanilla, and sister Suzette Quintanilla. Despite facing discrimination in the male-dominated Tejano music scene in the 1980s, she rose in popularity.
Major Career Milestones
Her popularity skyrocketed after she won the Tejano Music Award for Female Performer of the Year for nine consecutive years by 1987. After signing with EMI Latin in 1989, her brother became her producer and songwriter, and they released her debut album.
Breakthrough Success
In 1992, Selena released Entre a Mi Mundo, which spent eight months atop the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart. Her 1994 album Amor Prohibido became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the US, helping to popularize Tejano music.
Tragic End and Lasting Legacy
On March 31, 1995, Selena was tragically killed by her friend and former manager, Yolanda Saldivar. Two weeks later, Texas Governor George W. Bush declared April 16 as “Selena Day.” Her posthumous album Dreaming of You topped the Billboard 200, and the 1997 film Selena launched Jennifer Lopez’s career.
Selena Y Los Dinos Albums
Selena along with her family band, Selena Y Los Dinos recorded a total of seven albums. Most were produced under indie labels but they still made waves in the Tejano music scene. Producer Manny Guerra of G.P. Productions worked on some of the albums, including Alpha and And the Winner Is…, both of which helped establish Selena’s presence in Latin music.
A standout was Dulce Amor (1988), featuring original songs written by A.B. Quintanilla, which significantly boosted her popularity.
The band’s seven albums are:
- Mis Primeras Grabaciones (1984)
- The New Girl In Town (1985)
- Alpha (1986)
- Muñequito de Trapo (1986)
- And the Winner Is… (1987)
- Preciosa (1988)
- Dulce Amor (1988)
Studio Albums
- Selena (1989)
- Ven Conmigo (1990)
- Entre A Mi Mundo (1992)
- Live! (1993)
- Amor Prohibido (1994)
- Dreaming of You (1995)
Popular Compilation Albums
- 12 Super Exitos (1994)
- All My Hits Todos Mis Exitos (1999)
Top Songs
Selena achieved remarkable success with seven of her songs reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and 14 others landing in the top 10. Some of her top-charting songs include:
- “Tu Solo Tu” – No. 1 for 10 weeks
- “Amor Prohibido” – No. 1 for 9 weeks
- “No Me Queda Más”
- “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”
Selena’s crossover hit, Dreaming of You, reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing her mainstream appeal.
Fan Favorites
Other popular Selena tracks include:
- Como La Flor
- Baila Esta Cumbia
- La Carcacha
- El Chico del Apartamento 512
- I Could Fall In Love
- Siempre Hace Frío
Selena Husband
Selena married Chris Pérez on April 2, 1992. They first met in 1990 when Pérez joined her band as the lead guitarist. Over time, their bond grew, and they began dating secretly. Despite the challenges, their love remained strong. The couple enjoyed almost three years of marriage.
During that time, they worked together and supported each other’s careers. Selena’s musical career was flourishing. However, tragedy struck in 1995 when Selena was killed. Her sudden death deeply affected Pérez and her fans worldwide. Their love story remains unforgettable.
Tragic Death: Selena’s Murder and Her Killer
Selena was tragically shot by Yolanda Saldívar in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 31, 1995. She was just 23 years old. Her death devastated fans worldwide and shocked the Latino community. Saldívar, once a trusted friend and manager of Selena’s fan club turned into her killer. The news of Selena’s murder spread quickly leaving many in disbelief.
Fans from all over mourned the loss of such a talented young artist. Selena’s passing marked a painful moment in music history. Her legacy continues to inspire many today.
FAQs
When is Selena Quintanilla’s birthday and death?
Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, and she passed away on March 31, 1995.
Write Selena Quintanilla’s last words
Selena Quintanilla’s last words were reportedly, “Yolanda, what are you doing?”
What are Selena Quintanilla’s quotes?
- The goal isn’t to live forever, it’s to create something that will.
- I don’t want to be a role model. I just want to be myself.
- I love the way I am and I won’t change for anyone.
How did Selena Quintanilla die?
Selena Quintanilla was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldivar, her former friend and manager, on March 31, 1995. She was confronted about missing financial records and died after being rushed to the hospital.
What is Selena Quintanilla known for?
Selena Quintanilla was a trailblazing Tejano singer known for her powerful voice and hits like “Como La Flor.” She greatly influenced Latin music and culture.