What Happened to Selena Quintanilla Perez? How Did Selena Quintanilla Die?
by A N Rahul
Updated Jun 01, 2023
What happened to Selena Quintanilla Perez?
In 1995, the world was shaken by the tragic events that unfolded in the life of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the exceptionally talented and beloved singer. At the tender age of 23, Selena's life was cut short when she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, who held the position of her fan club president. This heart-wrenching incident took place at a Days Inn Hotel in Corpus Christi.
The loss of Selena was deeply felt within the music industry and beyond. Her untimely death occurred on March 31, 1995, a mere 16 days before she would have celebrated her 24th birthday. The cause of her passing was attributed to blood loss and cardiac arrest, with the tragic moment transpiring at 1:05 p.m. (CST). Given the overwhelming media attention surrounding the case, an autopsy was swiftly conducted, shedding light on the trajectory of the fatal bullet.
According to the autopsy findings, the bullet entered Selena's upper right back, near her shoulder blade, traversed through her chest cavity, and severed the right subclavian artery before exiting her right upper chest. The devastating impact resulted in a significant loss of blood, leading to her rapid demise. Medical professionals shared the chilling revelation that had the bullet deviated by a mere millimeter, the severity of the wound might have been less severe.
The passing of Selena Quintanilla-Perez left an indelible void in the music world. Her immense talent, infectious energy, and groundbreaking contributions to both music and fashion continue to be celebrated and cherished by fans worldwide. Selena's legacy serves as a reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on the world, even in a tragically abbreviated lifetime.
How did Selena Quintanilla Die?
Selena Quintanilla-Perez tragically died in 1995 as a result of being shot by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, at a Days Inn Hotel in Corpus Christi. Selena, a Grammy Award-winning singer, was only 23 years old at the time of her death. Widely recognized as the "Queen of Tejano music," she left a lasting impact on the music and fashion industry, becoming one of the most celebrated Mexican American entertainers of the late 20th century.
On March 31, 1995, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was pronounced dead at 1:05 p.m. (CST) at the age of 23, just 16 days before her 24th birthday. The cause of her death was determined to be blood loss and cardiac arrest. Following the shooting, an autopsy was conducted, driven by significant media attention.
The examination revealed that the bullet had entered Selena's upper right back, near her shoulder blade, passed through her chest cavity, severed the right subclavian artery, and exited her right upper chest. The impact of the bullet resulted in significant blood loss, causing Selena to rapidly bleed to death. Doctors noted that if the bullet had deviated by just one millimeter in any direction, the severity of her injury would have been less.
The loss of Selena Quintanilla-Perez was a profound tragedy, leaving a void in the music industry and the hearts of her fans worldwide. Her legacy as a talented artist and cultural icon continues to inspire and resonate with people to this day.
About Selena Quintanilla Pérez
Selena Quintanilla Pérez, widely known as Selena, was an influential American Tejano singer who left a lasting impact on the music industry. Born on April 16, 1971, she gained recognition as the "Queen of Tejano Music" and became one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. Selena's remarkable contributions to both music and fashion solidified her status as an icon.
In 2020, Billboard magazine honored Selena by placing her third on their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time," considering her achievements on the Latin albums and Latin songs charts. Her unique style and clothing choices led to media outlets dubbing her the "Tejano Madonna." Selena's influence extended beyond her success in the Latin music scene. She played a significant role in popularizing the Tejano genre and bringing it to a wider audience.
Selena began her musical journey as a member of the band Selena y Los Dinos, alongside her siblings A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla. In the 1980s, she faced challenges and criticism as a female performer in the male-dominated Tejano music genre. However, her talent and charisma propelled her to success.
In 1987, she won the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, a recognition she would receive nine consecutive times. Signing with EMI Latin in 1989, Selena released her self-titled debut album, with her brother becoming her primary music producer and songwriter.
Her album Entre a Mi Mundo (1992) achieved great success, topping the US Billboard Regional Mexican Albums chart for eight consecutive months. Critics hailed it as a breakthrough in her career. The single "Como la Flor" became one of her most beloved and recognizable songs. Her album Live! (1993) won the Grammy Award for Best Mexican/American Album, making Selena the first female Tejano artist to receive this honor.
In 1994, she released Amor Prohibido, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums in the United States, solidifying the popularity of Tejano music.
Tragically, on March 31, 1995, Selena was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldívar, her friend and former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques, at a young age of 23. Saldívar was apprehended by the police after attempting to flee and threatening self-harm. She was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Selena's untimely death sparked an outpouring of grief and recognition of her remarkable talent. Two weeks after her passing, April 16 was declared Selena Day in Texas by then-governor George W. Bush. Her posthumous crossover album, Dreaming of You (1995), debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, making Selena the first Latin artist to achieve this milestone.
In 1997, a biographical film titled "Selena" was released, featuring Jennifer Lopez in the lead role, which catapulted Lopez to stardom. More recently, in 2020, Netflix released "Selena: The Series," a television series portraying her life, with Christian Serratos in the titular role. Selena's legacy lives on, as she has sold approximately 18 million records worldwide, solidifying her place as one of the best-selling female artists in Latin music history.
When is Yolanda Saldivar getting Released
Yolanda Saldívar, the former nurse convicted of the murder of singer Selena in 1995, is currently serving a life sentence at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. As of now, she is scheduled to become eligible for parole on March 30, 2025.
Born on September 19, 1960, Yolanda Saldívar's crime shook the music world and left a lasting impact on Selena's fans and the industry as a whole. Following her conviction, she was sentenced to a life term in prison for her role in the tragic event.
The Mountain View Unit, where Saldívar is incarcerated, is a correctional facility under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It is designed to house female offenders and provide the necessary security measures for their confinement.
According to the current timeline, Yolanda Saldívar will have the opportunity to apply for parole on March 30, 2025. The parole process will involve a thorough evaluation of her conduct, rehabilitation efforts, and other relevant factors to determine whether she can be released under supervision.
The case of Yolanda Saldívar serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of her actions and the loss of an immensely talented artist, Selena. The parole eligibility date marks a significant milestone in Saldívar's incarceration, and the decision regarding her release will ultimately rest with the parole board and the legal system.
What happened to Selena Quintanilla Perez-FAQs
Selena Quintanilla-Perez died in 1995 as a result of being shot by her fan club president, Yolanda Saldivar, at a Days Inn Hotel in Corpus Christi. She suffered from blood loss and cardiac arrest, which ultimately led to her passing.
Selena was just 23 years old at the time of her tragic death. Her life was cut short at a young age, leaving a profound impact on the music industry and her fans.
Selena Quintanilla-Perez passed away on March 31, 1995. Her death occurred 16 days before her 24th birthday, marking a heartbreaking loss in the world of music.
During the autopsy conducted following Selena's death, it was determined that the fatal bullet had entered her upper right back, near her shoulder blade, traveled through her chest cavity, and severed the right subclavian artery before exiting her right upper chest. The impact caused significant blood loss, contributing to her rapid demise. Medical professionals noted that a minor deviation of the bullet's path could have resulted in a less severe injury.