5 Unknown Facts about Selena
Reuters

In November 2017, the pop star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez also famously known as 'Selena' had been given a posthumous star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame. She was given this award 22 years after her tragic death. On March 31, 1995, after she had completed her first music album in the English language, she lost her life after being shot by Yolanda Saldivar, the founder of her fans club.

Despite being gone in the music industry for more than two decades, her legacy in music and her dedication to her Hispanic heritage lives on. Here are some facts about the iconic 90's singer:

1. She provided for her family through singing.

The iconic singer was born in Texas on April 16, 1971. If she were still alive, she will turn 49 years old in April 2020.

Her talent in singer was discovered by her father when she was just six years old. Her first gigs were in their family's restaurant. However, the restaurant closed in the 1980s. Selena dropped out of school and worked as a musician to provide for her family. Later, she finished high school by doing correspondence studies.

She often sang country music in the earlier parts of her career. Later on, she started singing Tejano songs which are highly influenced by Mexican-American communities. She was the lead singer of the band called Selena y Los Dinos where she sang with her other family members and Chris Perez, her future husband.

2. Her last album defeated the sales records of Mariah Carey

'Dreaming of You' was the fifth and last album released after Selena's passing. On the first day of selling the album, 175,000 copies were sold in the United States. During that time, that number of sales was considered a milestone for every female singer in the country. After being sold in the market, there was a total of approximately five million copies sold to fans. It even beat the sales records of Maria Carey.

3. Selena Gomez was named after her.

In 1998, Selena Gomez was born. Her parents were fans of the late singer and named their child after her.

In an interview, Selena Gomez shared that her parents loved the songs of Selena. She also shared that she was able to visit the grave and home of the late singer. Selena Gomez was also privileged to meet the family of the late Mexican-American singer.

4. Her killer is sentenced to life imprisonment.

Yolanda Saldivar is sentenced to life imprisonment after killing Selena. She had filed multiple appeals but all were rejected.

Saldivar will be allowed for parole in 2025. However, the possible threats for her safety suggest that she rather spend the rest of her life in prison.

5. 'Selena Day" is celebrated in Texas Every April 16

After the death of Selena, George W. Bush, formerly the governor of Texas during that time, had declared her birthday as 'Selena Day'.

There is also a festival held for two days in celebration of Selena's legacy. The festival is named 'Fiesta de la Flor.' The festival is still celebrated by hundreds of her fans.