On Monday, February 17, the world said goodbye to Paquita la del Barrio, the iconic Mexican singer whose influence spanned generations within the Latino community worldwide.
While the cause of her death has not been disclosed, her team confirmed that she passed away at her home in Veracruz. A true legend of Mexican music, Paquita was a familiar face at Plaza Mexico in L.A., with one of her most memorable performances taking place during the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in 2024.
Born Francisca Viveros Barradas, she launched her career in Mexico City in 1970, singing at a small restaurant in Colonia Guerrero. As her fan base grew, she adopted the name Paquita la del Barrio. Her big break came in 1986 when a Televisa appearance introduced her to a nationwide audience, earning her a record deal with CBS Records.
Paquita’s music became a powerful voice against machismo, resonating with women through songs that captured the struggles and heartaches of her time. Tracks like Rata de dos patas, Me saludas a la tuya, and Tres veces te engañé, remain feminist anthems to this day.
Her contributions to music were recognized in 2021 when she received the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award and won Best Ranchero Album at the Latin Grammy Awards that same year.