La reina de la música tejano
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995)
Well, folks…hope all are doing well. Not too sure how to approach this topic, but I was hoping the diverse participants of this august forum could share their thoughts, impressions, experiences and anecdotes (really anything!) about the young lady who was considered the Queen of Tejano music back in the 90s. It has been 16 years to the day since her departure from the earthly scene and what I was wondering is simply what kind of influence or impact did she have in places like Spain, Central and South America as well as other parts of the planet. Those of you in Spain, for example, can you recall if she really had much airplay when she was alive and popular here in the US? I am really just curious how expansive her reach was during her heyday – I believe I read somewhere that she still has an official fan club in “la República del Perú,” just one of many I am assuming. Anything you would like to add, offer or share with the rest of us would be greatly appreciated! I did a cursory search on the site and noticed some discussion back in 2009 and it was rather scant... perhaps a few years might produce more commentary. And I realize this post is a few hours early for my hemisphere, but it's bedtime for Bonzo and I wanted to get you wonderful folks in Europe to chip in!
- Factoid
One thing I learned recently was that her family was able to obtain the gun that was instrumental in her death, have it ‘chopped’ into pieces and those fragments were scattered over Corpus Christi Bay in 2002. (merely one example of what I guess I am searching for with this query)
4 Answers
I was aware of her popularity here in the U.S. Then sadly, I heard of her death the day after my daughter was born. I remember holding my brand new baby girl and hearing about another family losing their beloved daughter. It was so sad.
I later watched the movie of her life two times. It was quite an amazing story. The second time I watched the movie was after I started learning Spanish, so that time was so much more meaningful to me.
Yo estaba enamorado de ella... jeje, not quite, but she was (and is) a sensation. To this day, if you play her song at any Latino gathering, you are sure to get people singing along if not dancing. She was the face of Tejano in her time, and pretty much, the face of Latinas. I believe she is still considered the "Queen of Tejano", I have yet to see anyone come and do what she did better.
As well, in light of her death, a wonderful organization was formed. The Selena Foundation was established in May 1995 by Selena's family, who received donations shortly after Selena's death in 1995. The foundation is a charitable organization with its primary mission of helping children in crisis. The foundation is also involved with the needs of the poor, elderly, and other organizations with regards to improving equipment in local public schools. The foundation raises money through donations, and the sale of Selena albums, and items from the Q-Productions store that are targeted for donations. The foundation operates the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Descansa en paz Selena, la reina de Tejano y angelita de Tejas
Thanks to all who contributed! I was hoping to get some folks from the European community to address whether or not she was all that popular in their part of the world, but I guess the silence speaks volumes in answering my question... Whataburgers for everyone! 
Sadly, although I was vaguely familiar with her name before, it was only after her tragic death that I came into contact with her music.
