Selena Quintanilla, the ‘Queen of Tejano’ whose life was cut short at age 23, is being remembered on the 31st anniversary of her death.
The singer, whose hits included Como la flor and Dreaming Of You, was murdered on March 31, 1995 in Corpus Christi, Texas by Yolanda Saldívar, the president of her fan club.
Yolanda was convicted of murder after she shot the singer down in a bloody confrontation at a motel. She was sentenced to life in prison and was denied parole last year.
On Monday, Selena’s husband Chris Perez and her siblings A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla paid tribute to the late singer as they prepared for the heartbreaking anniversary.
‘This day, this time of year…is always difficult for those of us who loved her. But, what an amazing thing it is to see what her legacy has become,’ Chris wrote on Instagram.
‘Just want to say that, along with all the melancholy emotions that are present…there is also a feeling of gratitude. I know, it’s crazy. I know, you feel it too. But I am grateful that you guys continue to push Selena’s legacy forward…and you do it loud and proud!
The family of Selena Quintanilla, the Tejano singer whose life was cut short at age 23, is remembering the late singer on the 31st anniversary of her death
Selena’s husband Chris Perez and her siblings A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla paid tribute to her as they prepared to mark the 31st anniversary of her death; pictured Selena’s family in 2017
‘Let’s all keep it up…for her. Her memory and legacy DESERVE to be remembered for generations to come.
Selena’s brother A.B. shared a poignant message and photo of his sister as her love song, Dreaming of You, played.
‘There are so many things I wanna say but I’ll just keep it simple…I miss you everyday,’ A.B. posted to his Instagram. ‘(purple heart emoji) 9 #love #live #music.’
Suzette also shared a photo of her sister along with a video of a white rose.
‘Forever with me,’ she captioned the post.
She also urged her followers to ‘love hard’ as she posted a quote about the fragility of life on Sunday.
‘Life can flip in a second. One phone call, one diagnosis, one unexpected moment and everything changes.
‘Nothing is guaranteed. Not time. Not health. Not the people you love. So love louder. Appreciate deeper. Because what feels normal today could be something you pray for tomorrow.’
Selena was shot dead at a Days Inn in Corpus Christi by Yolanda Saldivar, who had run her fan club and managed her clothing line Selena, Etc.
Selena’s father Abraham Quintanilla – who passed last year at age 86 – gave the press conference announcing her murder, his voice cracking with grief as he said: ‘Our Selena was killed this morning by a disgruntled employee.’
Yolanda was denied parole last year after becoming eligible for parole for the first time since her sentencing in 1995.
Suzette Quintanilla remembered her sister with a photo of the late Tejano singer on stage
A.B. shared this photo of his sister as he prepared for the painful anniversary
Yolanda Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and was denied parole last year; pictured 1995 mugshot
Selena’s family announced they were ‘grateful’ by the department’s decision to deny her parole. Yolanda, who is 65, will not be eligible again for parole until March 2030.
‘Today, we are grateful that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has chosen to deny parole for Yolanda Saldívar,’ wrote Selena’s family members and her husband, Chris Pérez, in a joint statement. ‘While nothing can bring Selena back, this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon.’
‘Selena’s legacy is one of love, music, and inspiration. She lived with joy, gave selflessly, and continues to uplift generations with her voice and her spirit,’ they continued.
‘As her family and loved ones, we remain committed to preserving her memory and ensuring that her story is honored with the dignity and respect it deserves.
Selena’s family praised the board’s decision to deny Yolanda parole last year
Selena’s legacy has endured after her death, with movies made about her life, posthumous albums, and a devoted fanbase
‘We thank Selena’s fans for their unwavering support throughout the years. Your love has been a source of strength and healing,’ her family added. ‘We will continue to celebrate Selena’s life — not the tragedy that took her from us — and we ask that all who cherish her do the same.’
Selena was already one of the most popular Mexican–American singers of all time before her death, and her stature in Latin and Tejano music only increased afterward.
An album, Dreaming Of You, was released posthumously in July of 1995 and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 albums chart, a first for a Latin recording artist.
In 1997, the biopic Selena was released, which further cemented the late singer’s music as a cultural force, while also giving Jennifer Lopez her breakout performance as the title star.
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