Mexican Singer Paquita la del Barrio Passes Away at 77

Legendary Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio passed away at the age of 77 at her home in Veracruz on February 17, 2025. This heartbreaking news was confirmed through an official statement on her social media accounts.

Paquita, whose real name was Francisca Viveros Barradas, was known for her powerful voice and songs denouncing machismo culture, leaving an indelible mark on fans and the music industry.

Born on April 2, 1947, in Alto Lucero, Veracruz, Paquita discovered her musical talent at a young age, frequently performing at school festivals. In the 1970s, she and her sister Viola formed the musical duo Las Golondrinas.

In 1984, she recorded her first album, El Barrio de los Faroles, marking a turning point in her career and solidifying her stage name, Paquita la del Barrio.

Paquita’s career spanned over 50 years, during which she released more than 30 albums and sold over 30 million copies.

She was famous for hits like “Rata de dos Patas”, “Tres Veces te Engañé”, and “Cheque en Blanco”. Among these, Rata de dos Patas, released in 2000, became an anthem for women, as its lyrics fiercely criticized unfaithful and abusive men.

Paquita was known for her outspoken and bold performance style, often directly confronting misogyny and gender inequality in her music.

At her concerts, she frequently used the phrase “¿Me estás oyendo, inútil?” (“Are you listening to me, you useless man?”) when addressing male audience members.

Initially, her music resonated mostly with women, but over time, her sincerity and undeniable talent won over male listeners as well.

In 2021, Paquita received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, honoring her contributions to Latin music.

During the award ceremony, Bad Bunny accompanied her on stage, holding the microphone for her throughout her emotional speech.

Aside from music, Paquita also ventured into politics. In 2021, she ran for a seat in the Veracruz State Congress under the Movimiento Ciudadano party. Though her political campaign was unsuccessful, it demonstrated her determination to advocate for women’s rights in another arena.

Paquita experienced two marriages. Her first marriage ended in heartbreak when she discovered that her husband had another family.

Her second marriage lasted 31 years, until her husband’s passing in 2001. She had three children, including an adopted niece.

In recent years, Paquita’s health declined.

In 2024, she suffered from loss of appetite and balance issues, which led her to rely on oxygen support and a wheelchair.

Earlier, in 2021, she was hospitalized due to pneumonia and pulmonary thrombosis.

Paquita la del Barrio’s passing has left an immense void in the hearts of her fans and fellow artists.

She was not just a musical icon but also a strong voice against injustice and gender inequality.

Her music and her fighting spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of generations to come.