Selena's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Selena.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known as Selena, was an influential American singer-songwriter and the "Queen of Tejano Music." Her contributions to music and fashion made her a celebrated Mexican-American entertainer. Billboard ranked her as the third-greatest Latino artist of all time in 2020. Known as the "Tejano Madonna" for her fashion choices, Selena is credited with popularizing Tejano music and bringing it to the mainstream.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1987: Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year

In 1987, Selena won the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. She would win the award nine consecutive times.

September 17, 1993: Concert in Nuevo León

On September 17, 1993, Selena performed in Nuevo León for 70,000 people, establishing her as the biggest Tejano act in Mexico.

1993: Grammy Award for Live!

In 1993, the album Live! by Selena won Best Mexican/American Album at the 1994 Grammy Awards, which was the first recording by a female Tejano artist to win the award.

May 1994: Live! named Album of the Year by Billboard Latin Music Awards

In May 1994, Selena's album Live! was recognized as Album of the Year at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, marking a significant achievement in her musical career.

1994: Entre a Mi Mundo Ranked as Second Best-Selling Regional Mexican Album

In 1994, Selena's album Entre a Mi Mundo was ranked as the second best-selling regional Mexican album of all time.

April 12, 1995: Selena Day Declared in Texas

On April 12, 1995, George W. Bush, then governor of Texas, declared April 16 as Selena Day in the state, recognizing Selena's cultural impact, which sparked mixed reactions and some controversy.

July 1995: Dreaming of You Album Release and Success

In July 1995, Selena's crossover album Dreaming of You was released posthumously, selling 175,000 copies on its release day and 331,000 copies in its first week in the U.S. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making Selena the first Hispanic artist to achieve this milestone and the first solo artist to debut a posthumous album at number one. It was later certified 59x platinum (Latin field).

1995: Selena inducted into Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame, Hard Rock Cafe's Hall of Fame, and South Texas Music Hall of Fame

In 1995, Selena was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame, the Hard Rock Cafe's Hall of Fame, and the South Texas Music Hall of Fame.

1995: Grammy Nomination for Best Mexican/American Album

In 1995, Selena's album Amor Prohibido received a Grammy nomination for Best Mexican/American Album at the 37th Grammy Awards. That same year it won Record of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards and Regional/Mexican Album of the Year at the Lo Nuestro Awards.

1995: Amor Prohibido Among the Best Selling U.S. Albums

In 1995, Selena's album Amor Prohibido was among the best selling U.S. albums and later certified 36x platinum by the RIAA for sales of 2.16 million album-equivalent units in the United States.

1995: Tribute held at the Lo Nuestro Awards

In 1995, two months after her death, a tribute was held at the Lo Nuestro Awards to honor Selena.

1996: Creation of the Spirit of Hope Award in Selena's Honor

In 1996, the Spirit of Hope Award was created in Selena's honor; it was awarded to Latin artists who participated in humanitarian and civic causes.

December 1999: Selena Named Top Latin Artist of the '90s by Billboard

In December 1999, Billboard named Selena the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits. She was the best-selling Latin female singer of the 1990s in the U.S. and Mexico.

2001: Selena inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame

In 2001, Selena was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame.

April 7, 2005: Selena ¡VIVE! Tribute Concert

On April 7, 2005, Selena's family and Los Dinos held the Selena ¡VIVE! tribute concert, broadcast live on Univision. It achieved a 35.9 household rating, becoming the highest-rated Spanish-language television special in American television history.

2008: "I Could Fall in Love" made Selena a posthumous crossover star

In 2008, Joey Guerra of the Houston Chronicle noted that Selena's song "I Could Fall in Love" had "made the Tejano goddess a posthumous crossover star".

2010: Selena named Best Female Vocalist of the '80s and '90s at Tejano Music Awards

In 2010, Selena was named "Best Female Vocalist of the '80s" and "Best Female Vocalist of the '90s" at the Tejano Music Awards.

March 16, 2011: United States Postal Service Releases "Latin Legends" Memorial Stamp

On March 16, 2011, the United States Postal Service released a "Latin Legends" memorial stamp to honor Selena, along with Carlos Gardel, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Carmen Miranda.

February 2014: Selena Named One of "100 Coolest Americans in History"

In February 2014, the Albany, New York Times Union named Selena one of "100 Coolest Americans in History".

2015: "Dreaming of You" sells five million copies worldwide

As of 2015, the recording "Dreaming of You" has sold five million copies worldwide.

October 2016: MAC Cosmetics Releases Selena Makeup Line

In October 2016, MAC Cosmetics released a limited edition Selena makeup line that became the best-selling celebrity line in cosmetic history. She was also inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame at Texas Woman's University.

Selena La Reina 2020 Lip Pencil" SELENAVILLE" (scarlet red)

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October 17, 2017: Google Honors Selena with Musical Doodle

On October 17, 2017, Google honored Selena with a musical doodle of her life.

2017: "Dreaming of You" Recognized as Best-Selling Latin Album

As of 2017, Selena's album "Dreaming of You" has sold over 2.942 million copies in the U.S., making it the best-selling Latin album of all time in the country, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

2017: Amor Prohibido Ranked on NPR's List

In 2017, NPR ranked Selena's album Amor Prohibido at number 19 on their list of the 150 greatest albums made by women, solidifying its legacy and impact on music history.

2017: Selena Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2017, Selena received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling ceremony was attended by approximately 4,500 fans.

2020: Recognition by Billboard and Netflix Series Release

In 2020, Billboard magazine ranked Selena third on their list of "Greatest Latino Artists of All Time". Netflix also released "Selena: The Series" in 2020, starring Christian Serratos.

2021: Anything for Selena podcast and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2021, the 10-part podcast miniseries, Anything for Selena, was broadcast by WBUR-FM and Futuro Media. Also, Selena was posthumously presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which her family received on her behalf in 2021.