19 years after her death, the Queen of Tex-Mex is more alive
than ever.
Selena Quintanilla Perez, or better known as just Selena was
a singer/songwriter who revolutionized Tejano music in the 90’s.
Born in Lake Jackson, Texas she started singing at the very
young age of three years old and recorded her first album at the age of twelve.
She quickly rose to the top of the charts, along with her
band “The Dinos.”
She was named the “Top Latin Artist of the ‘90s” and “Best
Selling Latin Artist of the Decade” by Billboard for her fourteen Top-ten
singles in the Top Latin Singles
chart, including seven number-one hits.
Selena sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.
Unfortunately, she was murdered at the young age of 23 on March
31, 1995 by Yolanda Saldivar, the former president of her fan club.
When former President George W. Bush was the Governor of
Texas he named April 12th “Selena Day” in honor of her
birthday.
There is also a museum in Corpus Christi commemorating her
and her legacy.
Her legacy has endured for almost two decades because
millions of Latinos still relate to her bicultural life.
Selena was a part of two cultures but managed to be comfortable in both.
She was an international sensation who sold out stadiums, and was even called “The Mexican Madonna.”
Selena’s death was also a revelation to corporate America about the power of the Latino consumer market. “Selena-mania” became a phenomenon after her death.
The special edition of People Magazine devoted to her sold out which led to the production of People en EspaƱol as well. She spurred the growth of the Hispanic market overall.
Selena became an icon. In our memory she will always be young, and full of life. She was definitely one of a kind, which is why even younger generations claim her as their own.
Like other celebrities who passed away too soon, such as John Lennon, Selena is a legend that will never be forgotten, and will be passed down for many more generations to come.
Like Selena once said, "Be strong minded, and always think that the impossible is possible."
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