Iconic Mexican Singer Paquita La Del Barrio Dies at 77
FILE - Paquita La Del Barrio performs at the 14th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Nov. 21, 2013, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP), File
A Mexican icon passed away today. This morning (Feb. 17), ranchera legend Paquita La Del Barrio was confirmed to have died at age 77. The cause of her death is unrevealed.
“With deep sorrow and sadness, we confirm the sensitive passing of our beloved ‘Paquita La Del Barrio,’ at her home in Veracruz, being a unique and unrepeatable artist, who will leave an everlasting mark in the hearts of all of us who knew her and enjoyed her music,” an official press statement said online.
It continues: “In this moment of great pain we ask in the most respectful way to all the media and the public opinion to give us space and understanding so that [the] family can live their grief in privacy and peace.”
The statement ends by giving an anticipated thanks to fans for respecting their wishes in this difficult moment. “Rest in peace, your music and legacy will live forever in our hearts.”
Paquita – born Francisca Viveros Barradas – was born in Alto Lucero, Veracruz, on Apr. 2, 1947. She was known for her bold, unapologetic anthems like “Rata De Dos Patas,” “Tres Veces Te Engañe,” and “Me Saludos A La Tuya.” She was also known for her sassy lines that became feminist catchphrases, such as “Me estás oyendo inútil?” Before starting a solo career, she performed throughout the 1970s with her sister Viola Dorantes under the name Las Golondrinas. During her musical trajectory, Paquita recorded more than 33 albums and sold more than 30 million copies.
Throughout her years on stage, Paquita gained a pop icon status as an empowered woman who wasn’t afraid of speaking her mind about the men she’d dealt with – even remarks she later apologized for. The singer was known to support women – she even shouted out Shakira after she came out with her post-breakup anthem about Gerard Piqué. She was also name-dropped on Karol G and Becky G’s female empowerment slash diss anthem “MAMIII,” demonstrating her influence. Paquita responded to the track’s “Rata de Dos Patas” homage, saying at the time: “Thank you for paying this tribute to me, and what better way than singing to those useless toxic two-legged rats.”
Fans worldwide are mourning her untimely death. May she rest in peace.
