Who Is Selena? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Selena, the beloved American singer, was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas. She captivated the hearts of many with her unique blend of pop and Tejano music until her untimely death in 1995. As of 2025, she would have celebrated her 54th birthday. Despite her short life, Selena's influence resonates even today, with a music and fashion legacy that continues to inspire new generations. Her story is documented in various biographical works, highlighting her rise to fame as the 'Queen of Tejano Music.'
| Occupation | Fashion Designers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1971 |
| Age | 23 Years |
| Birth Place | Freeport, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 31 March, 1995 |
| Died Place | Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
Selena's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Selena stood at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall and had an athletic build. In her prime, she weighed around 135 pounds (61 kg), but her body weight fluctuated throughout her career as she performed and embraced different fashion styles. Her body measurements are often documented as 36-24-36 inches, showcasing the iconic hourglass figure that she was recognized for.
Afterward, Selena again met with Saldívar in her motel room at the Days Inn in Corpus Christi. At the motel, Selena demanded the financial papers. At 11:48 a.m. (CST), Saldívar got a gun from her purse and pointed it at Selena.
As Selena attempted to flee, Saldívar shot her once on the right lower shoulder, severing the subclavian artery and causing a severe loss of blood. Critically wounded, Selena ran towards the lobby, leaving a 392 ft trail of blood.
She collapsed on the floor as the clerk called the emergency services, with Saldívar still chasing after her and calling her a "bitch". Before collapsing, Selena named Saldívar as her assailant and gave the number of the room where she had been shot. Meanwhile, Saldívar attempted to leave in her pickup truck.
She was spotted by a responding police cruiser. She surrendered after a nearly nine-and-a-half-hour standoff with police and the FBI. By that time hundreds of fans had gathered at the scene. Many wept as police took Saldívar away.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Selena was the youngest of three children born to Marcela and Abraham Quintanilla Jr. She shared a deep bond with her family, who played a significant role in her musical journey. Selena married her guitarist, Chris Perez, in 1992, a relationship that faced numerous challenges, including disapproval from her father. The couple’s love story is filled with passion and turbulence, culminating in a tragic loss when Selena passed away in 1995. Despite her early demise, Chris has often expressed his enduring love and admiration for Selena, keeping her memory alive.
As her popularity as a singer grew, the demands of Selena's performance and travel schedule began to interfere with her education. Her father took her out of school when she was in the eighth grade. Her teacher Marilyn Greer disapproved of Selena's musical career. She threatened to report Quintanilla Jr.
to the Texas Board of Education, believing the conditions to which Selena was exposed were inappropriate for a girl her age. Quintanilla Jr. told Greer to "mind her business". Other teachers expressed their concerns when they noticed how tired Selena appeared when she arrived at school.
At seventeen, Selena earned a high school diploma from the American School of Correspondence in Chicago and was also accepted at Louisiana State University. She enrolled at Pacific Western University, taking up business administration as her major subject.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Selena's estimated net worth was around $5 million, a figure that has significantly increased posthumously due to her music sales, merchandise, and biographical films. In 2025, her estate continues to earn a substantial income from music royalties, licensing deals, and unforgettable merchandise that pays tribute to her lasting legacy. The annual earnings from these sources allow her family to maintain her brand and continue to share her story with fans worldwide.
Quintanilla Jr. refurbished an old bus; he named it "Big Bertha" and the family used it as their tour bus. In the first years of touring, the family sang for food and barely had enough money to pay for gasoline. In 1984, Selena recorded her first LP record, Selena y Los Dinos, for Freddie Records.
Despite wanting to record English-language songs, Selena recorded Tejano music compositions; a male-dominated, Spanish-language genre with German influences of polka, jazz, and country music, popularized by Mexicans living in the United States.
Career, Business, and Investments
Selena's career launched at a young age when she began performing with her family's band, Selena y Los Dinos. By the early 1990s, she rose to fame with hit albums like "Selena" and "Amor Prohibido," achieving multiple awards, including Grammys. After her untimely death, her music has seen a resurgence in popularity, with new albums released featuring unreleased tracks and live recordings. Her family has successfully managed her estate, making sound investments in entertainment and fashion ventures, ensuring Selena's legacy endures.
Selena released Entre a Mi Mundo (1992), which peaked at number one on the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart for eight consecutive months. The album's commercial success led music critics to call it the "breakthrough" recording of her musical career. One of its singles, "Como la Flor", became one of her most popular signature songs. Live!
(1993) won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards, becoming the first recording by a female Tejano artist to do so. In 1994, she released Amor Prohibido, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the United States.
It was critically acclaimed as being responsible for Tejano music's first marketable era as it became one of the most popular Latin music subgenres at the time.
Social Network
Selena remains an enduring figure on social media platforms, where her fans share tributes and celebrate her music. Although she doesn't have personal accounts, her official pages, managed by her estate, keep followers updated on her legacy and ongoing projects. Hashtags like #SelenaForever and #QueenOfTejano continue to trend, bringing together fans from around the globe to honor her impact on music and culture.
Selena was booked for a high-profile border press tour in Monterrey, Mexico, with music media figures in a meet-and-greet conference. At the time, Tejanos were looked down on as "hayseed pochos" among Mexican citizens.
The singer's Spanish was far from fluent; EMI Latin executives were "terrified" about the singer's limited Spanish during the press conference for the album in Mexico. According to Patoski, Selena "played her cards right" during the conference and won over the Mexican media after newspapers hailed her as "an artist of the people".
The newspapers found her to be a refreshing change from Mexican telenovela actors "who were fair-skinned, blond-haired, and green-eyed."
Education
Selena attended high school in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she balanced her studies with her budding music career. Although her formal education ended when she pursued her music career full-time, she often spoke about the importance of education and inspired many of her fans to pursue their dreams, regardless of the challenges they might face.
In the days before Selena's death, Saldívar delayed handing over the bank statements and financial records by saying she had been physically and sexually assaulted in Mexico.
Saldívar, along with Selena, appeared at a medical clinic on March 31, 1995, ostensibly to have Saldívar examined for an assault which she claimed happened to her in Monterrey.
During that visit, Saldívar was given a brief physical examination by the clinic's doctor, but this did not include a gynecological exam specifically done in cases of sexual assault.
It was suggested by nurse Carla Anthony that Saldívar needed to have the rape exam in San Antonio for three reasons: Saldívar was a resident of San Antonio, the clinic they were currently at was in Corpus Christi, and the assault occurred in Mexico.
