Selena Quintanilla was murdered 20 years ago on Tuesday, but for her sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga, the pain sometimes feels as fresh as that fateful day.
Selena Quintanilla was only 23 when she was shot and killed by her fan club president after and argument over missing money from the fan club and Selena’s fashion boutiques.
As far as her career goes, Selena Quintanilla was just becoming a household name as she began pumping out crossover hits as well as her Tejano hits.
Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga remembers Selena Quintanilla daily, mainly in talks with their mother.
She said, “She is always with me, even in the smallest of things. I speak with my mother about it, and together we remember her. We still feel so much pain about losing her, although now it’s a different kind of pain. Some days I feel fine speaking about her, and other days I can’t.”
She added, “Although it’s been 20 years since she died, we’re fortunate that the public and the fans still care so much for Selena. That means so much to me and my family. It’s wonderful that she’s become such a positive role models for us Latinas.”
Suzette was the drummer for Selena’s band, Los Dinos, and is proud that their music is still relevant.
She said, “I’m so proud when I hear our music on the radio, and I think, ‘We’re timeless.’ Twenty years later, and we still sound cool. I can still play “Technocumbia” and make it sound current. That makes me so proud and happy.”
She added, “It doesn’t feel as though it’s been 20 years. It seems crazy to think that much time has passed.”
Suzette and her family will be participating in a tribute to Selena Quintanilla at the Fiesta de la Flor festival in their hometown of Corpus Christi, TX.
Do you remember when Selena Quintanilla was murdered?