Gabriel Saldana from Tampico, Mexico
Paquita la del Barrio, stage name of Francisca Viveros Barradas, was one of the most striking figures in Mexican music, recognized for her powerful voice and incisive lyrics. Born in 1947, she built a decades-long career playing rancheras and boleros, consolidating herself as a symbol of female resistance against macho culture. Her repertoire included hits such as "Rata de dos patas", in which she criticized men for attitudes that perpetuated inequalities in relationships, which earned her great popularity among the female audience.
Her artistic career began in the 1970s, when she began singing in a restaurant in Mexico City. Over the following decade, she consolidated herself in the music scene and, in 1986, gained national notoriety when she performed on a Televisa program. This moment opened doors to a contract with CBS Records, boosting her career. During her professional life, Paquita has been honored several times, including the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 in recognition of her contribution to Latin music.
Paquita was known not only for her songs, but also for her strong personality and confrontational style. Her iconic line "Are you listening to me, you useless?" became a trademark, reflecting the provocative tone of her songs. In 2017, her story was portrayed in a television series based on her life. In addition, she had a brief foray into politics when she ran for a seat in the Veracruz Congress in 2021, without success.
In her personal life, Paquita has gone through difficult times, including troubled marriages and family challenges. Her first marriage ended in dramatic fashion when she discovered that her husband was already married to another woman. In her second marriage, she faced the loss of newborn twin children and, later, the death of her husband. In recent years, her health has been weakened by problems such as pulmonary thrombosis and diabetes, which have limited her public appearances.
Despite her popularity, Paquita has also been involved in controversies. In 2010, she was criticized for homophobic statements, but later apologized and made efforts to reconcile with the LGBTQ+ community.
The singer passed away on February 17, 2025, at the age of 77, at her home in Xalapa, Veracruz, leaving a remarkable legacy in Mexican music and the fight against female oppression.
