Yolanda Saldívar is an American former nurse and convicted criminal who murdered beloved Latina pop star Selena Quintanilla on March 31, 1995. Once a trusted figure in Selena’s inner circle, Saldívar served as the president of the singer’s fan club and the manager of her boutique business. However, after being accused of financial mismanagement, she fatally shot Selena at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Saldívar was sentenced to life in prison but is eligible for parole in 2025.
Yolanda Saldívar was born on September 19, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas, to Mexican immigrant parents. She was the youngest of eight children. Her father worked as a head waiter at a Mexican restaurant. Saldívar attended several schools before graduating from McCollum High School in 1979, where she was involved in the Junior ROTC program.
In 1985, she joined the University of Texas but later transferred to Palo Alto College to study nursing. She got her nursing license in 1990 and worked at Medical Center Hospital, earning $60,000 a year. However, she faced legal troubles, including a lawsuit for stealing money from her employer and another for not repaying a student loan.
Yolanda Saldívar pursued a career in nursing before becoming involved in the Tejano music industry. Saldívar became the president of Selena Quintanilla's fan club and later managed her boutiques. Her close relationship with the singer eventually soured due to financial discrepancies.
On March 31, 1995, Selena met Yolanda Saldívar at a Days Inn motel in Corpus Christi, Texas, to collect important financial documents. Saldívar was delayed by falsely claiming she was assaulted in Mexico, so Selena took her to a hospital, where doctors found no evidence.
Back at the motel, Selena again asked for the documents. Instead, Saldívar pulled out a gun and shot Selena as she tried to run. Critically wounded, Selena reached the motel lobby and named Saldívar as the shooter before collapsing. She was rushed to the hospital but died at 1:05 p.m. from severe blood loss.
Yolanda Saldívar's trial was moved to Houston due to public support for Selena in Corpus Christi. The prosecution argued she intentionally murdered Selena over financial issues, while the defense claimed it was accidental.
On October 23, 1995, after just three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted her of first-degree murder. Three days later, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Saldívar had locked herself in her truck after the shooting, threatening suicide. After a 10-hour standoff, she surrendered. She is eligible for parole in March 2025, marking 30 years since her death.
Saldívar remains a controversial figure, with many still questioning why she killed Selena. Various documentaries and television shows have examined the case, speculating on her motives. Rumors have circulated about her health and status, but she is still alive. Some sources falsely claimed she had passed away, but these reports are untrue.