On March 31, 1995, Selena, the Queen of Tejano music, was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldívar, two weeks before her 24th birthday.
Saldívar, who once served as the president of Selena’s fan club, had been fired in early 1995 after the Quintanilla family accused her of embezzling money from the fan club and Selena’s clothing boutiques. Saldívar was convicted on Oct. 23rd and sentenced to life in prison on October 24th, 1995, with the possibility of parole in 30 years.
Hispanics grieved the loss of the Latin pop star, one fan saying in 1995: “To lose her is just to lose a part of our culture and roots and all that we believe in.” Fans celebrated when Saldívar was convicted for Selena’s death.
Selena made history on the top of the Tejano music charts, winning countless Tejano Music Awards, five No. 1 singles on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart and a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/American Album in 1994. The film Selena, starting Jennifer Lopez, was released in 1997 and followed the singer’s life and career.
