Selena Quintanilla: Death Of A Rose

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

16 Feb 2006 05:06 AM

Born April 16, 1971, Selena Quintanilla Perez was a talented Mexican-American singer who left the world far too soon. Her tragic murder in 1995 at the age of 23 and at the pinnacle of her success left an indelible void in the world of Tejano music and in the hearts of her family and many adoring fans. She began singing at the age of nine, and everyone who saw her knew that she had a star quality, a magical glow that would propel her into fame and fortune.

The family experienced more than its share of misfortune: a failing restaurant brought on bankruptcy and life on the streets. In Corpus Christi, Texas, the family made a new start, and through much hard work and effort, Selena recorded her first album in 1984. Her popularity grew, and because traveling to perform interfered with school, her father pulled her out when she was in the 8th grade. Even though she was not attending classes, Selena earned a high school degree from a correspondence school in Chicago.

In 1986, with the release of her second album, Selena's career began to take off. At the Tejano Music Awards, she won "Female Vocalist of the Year". In 1988, two more albums were released and in 1989 she signed with Capitol/EMI Latin label. Her concerts were drawing thousands of fans and her own band kept expanding. In 1990 a new guitarist, Chris Perez, joined the band. He and Selena fell in love and married in 1992.

The year 1990 brought one shadow upon the scene, but one that would not permeate the light until it was too late. Yolanda Saldivar approached Selena's father with the idea of starting a fan club for her favorite star. She became the club's president and worked her way into the singer's inner circle. But her greed dishonesty and jealousy were no longer secrets when Selena's family realized that Yolanda had been embezzling money from several family enterprises. On March 31, 1995, the singer agreed to meet with Yolanda to retrieve paperwork and to fire her. An argument ensued and Yolanda shot Selena once in the back. The singer died from loss of blood a few hours later.

Her death was a tragic outcry on many levels. Even though her music and her spirit live on in the hearts of those who loved her, she remains a tragic rose whose petals withered and died long before their time.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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