The Untimely Death of Selena Quintanilla

Selena Quintanilla is an iconic musician who forever changed the world of Latin music, and her impact is still felt today. Unfortunately, her life was cut short too soon when she was gunned down by a fan and employee on March 31, 1995 at the age of 23.

The Early Life of Selena

Selena was born on April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas to Abraham and Marcella Quintanilla. Selena was the youngest of three children and was raised in a Mexican-American household. From a young age, Selena was groomed to be a performer. Her father noticed her talent and encouraged her to perform with her siblings at local events.

At the age of 10 Selena formed the family band “Selena y Los Dinos” with her siblings and father, who were already experienced musicians. The band hit the local music scene hard, and in 1984 they signed a recording contract and relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Selena’s Career and Untimely Death

Selena quickly became the “Queen of Tejano Music” and crossed over into mainstream media with her album “Dreaming of You” in 1995. She was a powerhouse in Latin music and had won multiple awards including a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/American Album in 1994. Her career was thriving and she was planning a tour when tragedy struck.

On March 31, 1995, Selena was shot and killed in a motel room in Corpus Christi by Yolanda Saldívar, the head of her fan club. Saldívar had become obsessed with Selena and wanted to control her career. Her death sent shock waves throughout the Latin music industry, and was covered extensively by the media.

In the wake of her death, Selena’s influence on Latin music only grew. The movie “Selena” released in 1997 portrayed her life and was a box office hit. In addition, she was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

Conclusion

Today, Selena Quintanilla is remembered for her pioneering work in Latin music and for serving as an inspiration to many young women of Latin descent. Although her life was tragically cut short, her legacy lives on through her music and her followers around the world.