Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was an
American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, businesswoman, model, actress, and fashion designer. Referred to as the "Queen of Tejano
music", her contributions to
music and fashion made her one of the most celebrated Mexican-
American entertainers of the late 20th century. Billboard magazine named her the top-selling Latin artist of the 1990s decade, while her posthumous collaboration with
MAC cosmetics became the best-selling celebrity collection in cosmetics history.2 Media outlets called her the "Tejano Madonna" for her clothing choices.a She also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time and is credited for catapulting a music genre into the mainstream market.78
She signed with
EMI Latin in 1989 and released her self-titled debut album the same year, while her brother became her principal
music producer and songwriter.
Selena was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, 16 days before her 24th birthday, by Yolanda Saldívar, her
friend and the former manager of her Selena Etc. boutiques.Two weeks later, Texas Governor (and future US President) George W. Bush declared Selena's birthday Selena Day in Texas.
