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"When Selena passed away, I told my family that I was going to try to keep her memory alive through her music," Selena's father Abraham tells PEOPLE
Twenty-five years after her untimely passing, Selena Quintanilla's profound impact as the "queen of Tejano music" continues to resonate deeply within the music world and beyond. Contemporary artists like Kacey Musgraves and Camila Cabello frequently perform her songs, underscoring her lasting influence on new generations. To further commemorate her, the Quintanilla family is launching several initiatives: a new album featuring remixed Spanish-language songs Selena recorded as a teenager, a major tribute concert in San Antonio on May 9th featuring various stars performing her music, and a second limited-edition makeup collection with MAC Cosmetics, following the instant sell-out success of their first collaboration in 2016. Selena's father, Abraham, proudly acknowledges that the family has successfully honored his promise to keep her memory alive through her iconic music. The family also deals with the emotional impact of her death, acknowledging that fans often share their personal experiences of her loss as a way to connect and express their collective grief. An upcoming Netflix series based on her early life is also anticipated to introduce her story to a global audience.
On the morning of March 31, 1995, at the age of 23, Selena Quintanilla's life was tragically cut short. She traveled to a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, to confront Yolanda Saldívar, who was the former president of her fan club. Selena and her family had grown suspicious that Saldívar was embezzling funds from their businesses. During this confrontation, Saldívar shot Selena once in the back. Despite immediate medical attention, Selena was pronounced dead approximately an hour later at the hospital. Saldívar was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder and is scheduled for parole consideration in 2025, a date that still holds significant emotional weight for Selena's family and fans alike.
The news of Selena's death profoundly impacted not only the Tejano music community but also a much wider global audience, sending shockwaves across the industry. Her first English-language album, "Dreaming of You," which was released posthumously, achieved immense commercial success, notably topping the Billboard charts. The album featured several hit singles, including the widely popular "I Could Fall in Love," which became a staple on airwaves and helped solidify her transition into mainstream stardom. Further cementing her cultural status, the iconic singer and actress Jennifer Lopez portrayed Selena in a critically acclaimed and commercially successful 1997 biographical film, introducing her story and music to an even broader international audience and ensuring her legacy lived on through cinema.
Selena Quintanilla's extraordinary musical talent emerged at a very young age; she was reportedly singing with perfect timing and pitch by the age of six. By nine, she was already performing at Papagayo's, the Mexican restaurant owned by her family. Her father, Abraham, a former musician with the band Los Dinos, recognized her innate ability and formed a new family group, "Selena y Los Dinos," featuring Selena on vocals, her sister Suzette on drums, and her brother A.B. on bass. Despite facing financial difficulties in 1981, which led to the loss of their restaurant and home, the family persevered by touring extensively throughout South Texas, performing at various local events like weddings and quinceañeras. This dedication paid off significantly, as Selena won her first of eleven "Female Vocalist of the Year" trophies at the Tejano Music Awards in 1986, at just 15 years old. With iconic hits such as "Como la Flor" and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," she achieved immense popularity, selling over 65 million units worldwide and earning the affectionate moniker "Tex-Mex Madonna."
Beyond her unparalleled musical achievements and captivating stage presence, Selena's family consistently emphasizes her remarkable kindness and compassionate nature as her most memorable qualities. Her mother, Marcella, fondly recalls a heartwarming incident where Selena, after a performance, spontaneously removed her own admired boots and gave them to a young fan who expressed admiration for them. This act serves as a poignant illustration of Selena's generous spirit and her genuine desire to connect with and uplift others. The family highlights that Selena inherently disliked negativity and always sought to find and articulate positive aspects in people or situations, demonstrating a truly big and kind heart that endeared her to everyone she met.