Selena Quintanilla-Perez, known professionally as Selena, was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer from Lake Jackson, Texas, born on April 16, 1971. She made her recording debut in the ‘80s with her band Selena y Los Dinos, which consisted her siblings as her band and Selena the lead singer.

Quintanilla went on to become an award-winning recording artist in the Latin music scene with albums like Amor Prohibido and Selena LIVE. Selena was considered the “Queen of Tejano,” a type of Mexican music that incorporated other styles, such as country. She was also sometimes referred to as the “Mexican Madonna” for her sexy outfits and dance moves.

Selena’s 1993 Live album, Selena Live, won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards, becoming the first album by a female Tejano artist to do so.

On March 31, 1995, Selena was murdered by her Fan Club’s president and manager of her clothing boutique Selena Etc., Yolanda Saldivar, who then alleged to kill by accident but a police investigation led her to serve a life imprisonment. Selena was shot in the shoulder and later died of blood loss in the hospital. Her murder had a significant impact on the world, often being compared to the deaths of others who had impacted the world, such as Princess Diana of Wales, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, and President John F. Kennedy. Selena became heavily missed as yet another talented young star was taken from the world far too soon.

“Always believe that the impossible is always possible.” – Selena