Thirty years after the death of beloved Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez,
her husband is still trying to make sense of the tragedy.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times published Monday, the anniversary of her killing, her husband Chis Pérez
opened up about the late star’s posthumous success, and his image as a forever widower.
“When everything happened, I was so dead inside,” he told the outlet. “It took all my energy to get back to a certain level.”
“I finally allowed myself the freedom to move forward,” he said. “It’s not about forgetting, but moving forward.”
Selena was just 23 when she was gunned down by her fan club founder Yolanda Saldívar,
whom the singer had confronted over allegations of embezzlement. Pérez, who wed Selena in 1992, was 25 at the time of her death.
Need a break?
Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
What to know about Selena Quintanilla, her killer Yolanda Saldívar denied parole
“We were married, the records were kicking (butt) and crowds were getting bigger,” Pérez told the L.A. Times. “Then the unfathomable happened.”
In March of 1995, Saldívar fatally injured
at a Days Inn motel room in her native Corpus Christi, Texas. Saldívar was later convicted of first-degree murder has spent decades in prison. That won’t soon change, as she was
denied parole Thursday following an attempt at release.
The death shocked fans for whom Selena represented an industry first: a vibrant young Tejano star with real cross-over appeal. She was in the midst of recording her first English-language album when she was killed.
When asked about the court’s decision, Pérez remained fairly mum but did tell the L.A. Times: “Justice was served.”
Two years after her death,
Jennifer Lopez played the Quintanilla-Pérez in
a now beloved biopic. John Seda played Pérez.
Selena: 11 deep cuts from
the Queen of Tejano you should be listening to
“There was real melancholy,” Pérez said of the years that followed her death. In the decades since, he has released his own Grammy-winning music, launched a record label, had children and been remarried and divorced.
“Now there’s a feeling of joy in remembering those days,” said Pérez, who played alongside Selena’s family in her band. “Selena and I accomplished many things and there were many good times.”
He’s also tighter than ever with her family − with whom he collaborated on a new documentary
which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
“Selena and I went against the current,” Pérez said. “We did all we wanted to do and we did it all for the love that we have for each other.”
