Selena Quintanilla Perez Mexican-American Singer

By: Domenica MannoSelena Quintanilla PerezMexican-American Singer1971- Selena was born on April 16, 1971 in Lake Jackson, Texas. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr, was Mexican, and her mother, Marcella Ofelia Samora, was Mexican-American. She also had a sister, Suzette Quintanilla, and a brother, Abraham Quintanilla III.

Selena as a child around the age 5 or 6.1975- With her father's help, Selena forms a band, "Selena y Los Dinos." Selena sings, her brother plays the guitar, and her sister plays the drums. The band made their first recording.

Selena y Los Dinos1980- Selena y Los Dinos perform at their father's restaurant, PapaGayos. Many people came to see the band.

Selenas Brother And Sister.1984- The band records their first album, but it is not released until 1995. It was called "Mis Primeras Grabaciones." Their father bought all the original copies.

Mis Primeras Grabaciones1986- Selena y Los Dinos released the song "Munequito Ee Trapo." Around the same time, the album "Alpha" is released. Selena's father also pulls her out of school to be a full time singer. She graduated at age 17 from The American School of Correspondence in Chicago.

The American School of Correspondence in Chicago.1987- Selena won Best Female Vocalist, and dominated for the next seven years.

Selenas First Award1988- She released two albums, "Preciosa" and "Duice Amor." She also met Chris Perez, a guitarist.

Selena & Chris Perez1989- Selena signed EMI Latin. She also hired Chris Perez. After spending a lot of time together, they started to fall in love. 1990- She released another album, "Ven Conmigo" and "Selena." Selena and her father also met with Yolanda Saldivar, a fan, who wanted to start a fan club. Once the fan club began, Yolanda became the club's president. 1992- Selena marries Chris Perez on April 2nd. She also releases another album "Entre a mi Mundo."

April 2nd, at their wedding1993- "Selena Live!" album won a Grammy award for best Mexican-American performance. She also stared designing clothes and open a store. Yolanda became the manager of the store.

Yolanda Saldivar

A dress that Selena designed1994- "Amor Prohibido" was released. The album was nominated for Mexican-American album of the year. Selena also appeared in commercials and television shows.

Her award1995- She visited schools for the D.A.R.E. project and raised money for AIDS. Unfortunately, Yolanda, her fan club's president and store manager, had shot her in the back and she was rushed to the hospital. Selena had died about 2 hours later from loss of blood, 2 weeks before her 24th birthday. As of June 2006, Selena was commemorated with a museum and a bronze life-sized statue (Mirador de la Flor in Corpus Christi, Texas), which are visited by hundreds of fans each week.