She was called the Latin Madonna. Perhaps for bright and revealing stage costumes or for emotional performances, although those who knew Selena closely claimed that in life she was calm and serious.
Her bright but short life flashed like a shooting star in the sky, and was tragically cut short after a fatal shot. She was not even 24 years old.
Childhood and the beginning of the musical career of Selena Quintanilla
The birthplace of the singer was the city of Lake (Texas). On April 16, 1971, a girl was born to a family of Mexican-Americans Abraham and Marcela, who was named Selena.
The family was very musical - everyone sang and played various musical instruments, and the baby herself sang when she was 6 years old. Three years later, Abraham created a family group, which he called Selena Y Los Dinos.
The team, consisting of Selena herself, her brother Abie as a guitarist and sister Suzette, who played percussion instruments, first performed at her father's restaurant.
After the institution closed, the family, in need of money, moved to Corpus Christi in the same state.
Selena Y Los Dinos performed at holidays, weddings and various celebrations. When the young singer was 12 years old, she recorded her first disc, performing songs in the tejano style. At the beginning of her solo career, Selena sang only in English.
But her father came up with the idea that a girl of her origin should sing songs in Spanish. For this, the young rising star had to learn the language. Selena was a very diligent and diligent student.
At school they were satisfied with her, but an active concert life did not allow a normal visit to an educational institution. After her father insisted on home schooling, the girl graduated from school in absentia.
The wave of popularity of Selena Quintanilla
At the age of 16, Selena received the Tejano Music Awards as the best female vocalist. The next 9 years, this award also went to her. In 1988, the singer recorded two discs: Preciosa and Dulce Amor.
A year later, the founder of the recording studio Capitol / Emi offered her a permanent contract. By that time, Selena had already signed an agreement with Coca-Cola, and there were full houses at her performances.
Around the same time, the girl had a romantic relationship with guitarist Chris Perez, whom her father hired in Selena Y Los Dinos. Three years later, young people secretly married.
The most memorable event of 1990 was another achievement of Selena - her new album Ven Conmigo went gold. No other tejano singer has ever reached such a level before her.
It was then that one of the most devoted fans of the singer, Yolanda Saldivar, decided to create a fan club for Selena. The head of the family liked this idea and the organization began its activities. Yolanda became its president.
In 1992, another Selena album went gold. And a year later, the singer was in the hands of the Grammy Award for the best performance in the Mexican-American style.
And at the peak of Selena's popularity was the disc Amor Prohibido, which is considered the pinnacle of her work. This album has earned the title of platinum 22 times.
In addition to concert activities, Selena was also engaged in business. She owned two fashionable clothing stores.
The singer entered the history of music thanks to the tejano style, which at first was considered old-fashioned, but thanks to her it became incredibly popular. Selena's plans included an album of English-language songs, which they planned to release by 1995.
She also led an active social life, engaging in charitable work, working in the AIDS Society, participating in educational and anti-war programs, organizing free concerts for the poor.
The tragic death of the singer
In early 1995, Selena's father became aware of financial fraud in the fan club. Many "fans" were outraged that they allocated money for souvenirs, but they never saw them.
All affairs of the club were led by Yolanda Saldivar. On the fateful day of March 31, she made an appointment to meet Selena at the famous Corpus Christi hotel.
The main "fan" at the meeting behaved strangely - at first she promised to provide documents that would confirm her honesty, then she reported the rape, and Selena had to take her to the hospital for examination.
The doctors found nothing, and the girls again returned to the hotel for a conversation. When Selena was about to leave, Saldívar pulled out a gun and shot her.
The bleeding singer was able to get to the administrator and give the name of the shooter. Arriving doctors could not save the seriously wounded singer.
The death of a favorite of the public caused a significant outcry. Several tens of thousands of people came to say goodbye to the talented artist.
April 21 was declared Selena Day in Texas. Yolanda Saldivar was tried and sentenced to life in prison. In 2025, she will get a chance for early release.
In memory of Selena, a film was made, in which Jennifer Lopez played the main role. The singer's museum is open in Corpus Christi. The singer lived a short but bright life. Her songs are still popular, and she herself remains in the hearts of her fans.
