CHRIS Pérez was famously married to Tejano star Selena Quintanilla before she was killed in 1995.
Yolanda Saldivar was convicted of Selena's murder, and nearly 30 years after her death, Chris continues to keep her legacy alive.
Who is Chris Pérez?
Christopher Gilbert Pérez is an American guitarist, songwriter, and author best known as the lead guitarist for Selena y Los Dinos.
He was famously married to lead singer Selena Quintanilla, who was heralded "The Queen of Tejano music."
She also ranks among the most influential Latin artists of all time.
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Selena's father Abraham Quintanilla disapproved of the relationship, but the two got married against his will.
"I think the main reason [her father was unhappy] was it kind of hurt his pride and his ego to find out that he was the last to know."
"And when things got tense and things were said by him, it hurt me that he was saying it."
"But I didn’t let it get to me because I knew deep down he knew the kind of person I was," Pérez told CNN.
"The worst thing he said to me was that I was like a cancer to his family. His family knew about us being together and was supportive; when he said that it was like, ‘C’mon!’"
How long were Selena and Chris together?
Selena and Chris married in 1992.
She was killed in 1995 at just 23 years old by Yolanda Saldívar, who had been president of a Selena fan club.
Selena’s father, Abraham, had discovered that Saldívar had embezzled over $60,000 from the fan club and the boutiques through forged checks.
Saldívar shot Selena in the shoulder, severing a major artery. The singer later died in hospital from major blood loss.
Pérez married Vanessa Villanueva in 2001, six years after Selena's passing.
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The couple had two children, Noah and Cassie, before splitting in 2008.
Where is Chris now?
Chris Pérez is an author and is also still performing. He continues to honor Selena's posthumous legacy.
In 2012, he released a successful book about their relationship titled To Selena, with Love.
"My life has gone on. More than anything, I am grateful to Selena for teaching me the meaning of love," he wrote.
"I was fortunate enough to be able to marry again and have children. I wish that I could have had a family with Selena, as we had always planned; still, I know that Selena was the one who made this possible for me. She showed me how to drop my guard and embrace life."
On March 31, 2024, the 29th anniversary of Selena's death, Chris paid tribute to the late singer.
The musician took to Instagram to say: "29 years later…I’ve been watching some of her videos today. Mostly some of the older ones, before I was in Selena Y Los Dinos.
"Those songs hold a very special place in my heart."
He paid tribute to Selena's parents and mentioned the impact Selena continues to have even years after her untimely passing.
"Let’s not forget about Mr. Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. and Marcella for keeping it together all those years and even up until now.
"Selena is still breaking records and we are STILL remembering/celebrating her extraordinary life, her gift of music, and her everlasting legacy.
"Selena continues to inspire us all and will forever be in the hearts of her fans, friends, and family."
