AUSTIN (KXAN) – Legendary icon Selena is being honored at the White House Monday, nearly 30 years after her death. President Joe Biden will award the 2023 National Medals of Arts at a private ceremony. Among the honorees is Tejano music superstar Selena Quintanilla.
The award is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the federal government. They are given “to individuals or groups who are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support, and availability of the arts in the United States.”
Selena’s groundbreaking career was cut short early after she was murdered in a Corpus Christi motel on March 31, 1995, by her friend and the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar. At the time of her death, Selena was already widely considered “The Queen of Tejano Music” and the “Mexican Madonna” among the Latin community. She was also preparing a major crossover album, “Dreaming of You,” which was released four months after her death.
Selena’s award is one of three being awarded posthumously. Others include artist Ruth Asawa and the late chef-author Anthony Bourdain.
