Selena Quintanilla Biography

Full Name: Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
Born: April 16, 1971, Lake Jackson, Texas, USA
Died: March 31, 1995, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
Nationality: American
Profession: Singer, Songwriter, Fashion Designer, Actress
Genres: Tejano, Latin Pop, Cumbia, R&B
Nickname: Queen of Tejano Music

Early Life

Selena Quintanilla was born into a musical family, the youngest child of Abraham and Marcella Quintanilla. She started singing at a very young age after her father discovered her natural talent. Together with her siblings, A.B. and Suzette, she formed the band Selena y Los Dinos.

Despite facing financial struggles and language barriers, Selena quickly impressed audiences with her powerful voice, charisma, and stage presence.

Rise to Fame

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Selena helped bring Tejano music—a male-dominated genre—to mainstream audiences. She signed with EMI Latin in 1989 and released several successful albums.

Her breakthrough album, “Entre a Mi Mundo” (1992), featured the hit “Como La Flor,” which made her an international star. She followed with “Amor Prohibido” (1994), one of the best-selling Latin albums in U.S. history.

Selena became known for her energetic performances, signature outfits, and ability to connect with fans across language and cultural divides.

Fashion Career

Aside from music, Selena was passionate about fashion. She launched her boutique line, Selena Etc., where she designed many of her own iconic performance outfits. Her style—a blend of glamour, sparkle, and bold confidence—continues to influence Latin fashion today.

Personal Life

In 1992, Selena married Chris Pérez, the lead guitarist of her band. Their relationship was initially opposed by her family but later became accepted and celebrated. The couple remained close until her tragic death.

Tragic Death

On March 31, 1995, Selena was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club and manager of her boutiques. She died at the age of 23. Her death shocked millions worldwide and left a lasting impact on the music industry.

Legacy

Even decades after her passing, Selena remains one of the most influential Latin artists of all time. She is remembered as:

• The Queen of Tejano Music
• A cultural icon for Mexican-Americans and Latin artists
• A pioneer who opened doors for stars like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Becky G

Her posthumous album “Dreaming of You” (1995)—a crossover English-language project—debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, proving her global potential.

Selena’s life and impact were later celebrated in the biopic “Selena” (1997) starring Jennifer Lopez, and the Netflix series “Selena: The Series” (2020–2021).

Popular Songs

• Como La Flor
• Bidi Bidi Bom Bom
• Amor Prohibido
• Dreaming of You
• No Me Queda Más
• La Carcacha