She would have been 39 years old today. Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the “Queen of Tejano Music” who’s tragic death in 1995 ended her career much too soon made an enormous impact in Latino culture in the United States and beyond. She became an icon to those who didn’t know much about her prior to her death and a legend to those who followed her from far before. Many people have called her the ‘Latin Madonna’ but to those loyal fans of Selena, she was and continues to be an incomparable figure and heroine.

Selena became a household name, especially after her biopic starring a then unknown Jennifer Lopez released in 1997. Many attribute Lopez’ sudden success to her role in this film.

Do you remember where you were when you heard the tragic news in 1995?