This day in history: Pop star Selena is slain

Nourhan SandoukTue, March 31, 2026 at 9:56 AM UTC

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On March 31 1995, the world lost Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Though her life was tragically cut short at just 23 years old, her influence on music, fashion, and culture continues to grow decades later.

Born in Texas, she began her career as the lead singer of Selena y Los Dinos, a band formed by her father. By the early 1990s, she had become a household name in the Latino community. She won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Album in 1994, proving that her unique blend of traditional Tejano music and modern pop had massive appeal.

Selena was also a fashion icon and an entrepreneur. She opened boutiques called Selena Etc., where she sold her own clothing designs. At the time of her death, she was starting to get into the English-language market, recording an album that was expected to make her a global superstar.

The tragedy occurred at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena had gone there to meet Yolanda Saldivar, the former president of her fan club and the manager of her boutiques. Selena’s family had recently discovered that Saldivar had been embezzling money from the businesses.

During their confrontation, Saldivar drew a weapon and shot Selena in the back as the singer tried to flee. Selena managed to reach the motel lobby to seek help, but she later died at a local hospital. Many fans traveled to Texas to attend her funeral, and then-Governor George W. Bush declared her birthday, April 16, as “Selena Day” in Texas.

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Selena’s English-language album, Dreaming of You, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart—a first for a Hispanic artist.

Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla said ”I don’t want to misquote my sister, but she said the goal isn’t to live forever, but create something that will and I truly believe that she has done that, without even realizing what she left behind,” she said.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”