"Paquita la del Barrio, Defiant Mexican Ranchera Icon, Dies at 77"
Paquita la del Barrio, the legendary ranchera singer known for her sharp-witted lyrics challenging machismo and unfaithful men, passed away on Monday at the age of 77, leaving behind an unparalleled musical legacy in Latin America.
Her family and management confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement on her social media accounts, calling her an “irreplaceable artist who will forever live in our hearts.” Despite her age, Paquita continued to perform and had planned to tour the U.S. in 2025.
Manager Francisco Torres stated that she “died peacefully in her sleep at home” without any prior health complications. Their last conversation was about an upcoming concert in Mexico City.
The Mexican Secretariat of Culture honored her as an “iconic representative of ranchera and Mexican popular music,” highlighting her anthems like Rata de dos patas and Tres veces te engañé, which became symbols of female empowerment and social resistance.
Born Francisca Viveros Barradas in Veracruz, Paquita’s journey began singing in local bars while navigating personal hardships. Her songs, often filled with biting humor and scathing critiques of male infidelity, contrasted with the traditional ranchera genre dominated by figures like Vicente Fernández.
Her most famous song, Rata de dos patas (“Two-Legged Rat”), became a feminist anthem with lyrics full of disdain for deceitful men:
"Filthy rat, crawling animal, scum of life, badly made monstrosity..."
Paquita’s music was deeply personal. She endured an abusive first relationship with an older married man and later discovered her second husband had hidden a secret family for 15 years. These betrayals fueled the raw emotion in her songs, which resonated with generations of Latin American women.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Paquita had cemented her place as a ranchera legend. Her humor and unapologetic personality made her a beloved public figure, even appearing on Univisión’s El gordo y la flaca, where she playfully joined host Raúl de Molina in the show’s iconic jacuzzi segment.
With a career spanning over five decades, Paquita la del Barrio’s voice and message remain timeless—challenging societal norms and championing women’s strength through music.