Selena Quintanilla

Joshua Leon, staff writer

June 2, 2025

Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Perez.

Who is Selena?

Selena was the most known and beloved Mexican-American singer she was also known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” She influenced Tejano music by releasing hits like “Como La Flor”and”Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and more. Selena was killed by by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995.

Selena’s start

Selena was born on April 16, 1971. She began singing at the age of six because her father recognized her talent. By the age of nine she was the lead singer in her family band, called Selena y los Dinos. The band was put together by Selena’s father Abraham Quintanilla. Selena’s brother Abraham Isaac Quintanilla II and sister Suzette Quintanilla were in the band as well. Her father taught them to sing and play their instruments, while Selena’s mom, Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla, helped Selena with hair and helped with outfits.

Selena y los Dinos

Selena y Los Dinos performed in their dad’s restaurant Papa Gayo’s (which opened in 1979 but was forced to close in 1981 due to bankruptcy) and were a hit. After Papa Gayo’s closed the family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas and performed at weddings and other local places. Later Freddie Martinez’s Freddie Records signed Selena y Los Dinos in 1984. Their first album, called Selena Y Los Dinos (re-released in 1995 and named “Mis Primeras Grabaciones”) on July 16, 1984. Selena y los Dinos released six more albums between 1984-1988.

Selena’s solo career

In 1989 Selena performed at the Tejano Music Awards where José Behar, a Cuban-American music executive who is known for his work in the Latin music industry, saw her perform. He signed her up as a solo artist to the EMI label. Between 1989 and 1995 she released five albums and a live album. Selena’s brother wrote most of her songs and was also her producer.

Even after Selena become a solo artist, she still performed with Los Dinos. Her first major concert was at the Houston Astrodome in 1993.

Selena’s love story

Selena met Chris Pérez in 1989. In 1990, after Chris had joined the band as the lead guitarist, they were dating but kept it a secret from Selena’s father ,who didn’t approve of their relationship but later found out. They got married on April 2nd, 1992. They were married for three years before Selena was killed.

Other jobs

Selena had a huge audience and in 1989 Coca-Cola chose her as a spokesperson. In 1994 Selena opened two boutiques named Selena Etc. She sold her clothing and jewelry line. She was also a small acting role in the movie Don Juan DeMarco, which starred Johnny Depp.

Selena’s death

On March 31, 1995 Selena was pronounced dead at 25 years old. She was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, the Selena fan club president and manager of her clothing boutiques.

Yolanda had been fired because she was accused of embezzling money from the fan club and boutiques shortly before the murder. Selena and Yolanda were meeting up that day to discuss about Yolanda embezzling money and to retrieve business records. That’s when Yolanda shot Selena. She later claimed it was an accident but was convicted of first degree murder.

Selena’s death shocked all her fans and family. They were sad but after her death they focused on preserving Selena’s legacy.

Yolanda was denied parole on March 27, 2025. Her next parole hearing is scheduled around March 2030.

Awards and albums

Selena won many awards during her career. She won best female vocalist in the 1987 Tejano Music Awards. Selena released many albums during her career: she released seven albums when she was a part of Selena y Los Dinos and released another seven solo albums. After her death Selena’s family released 23 posthumous commemorative box sets and albums.

Here is one of Selena’s hit songs: