Renowned Mexican singer-songwriter Paquita la del Barrio has passed away at 77, her team announced Monday in a statement on Instagram. Her passing was announced on her official social media accounts and confirmed by her representatives to The Associated Press. The state capital of Veracruz will mourn the loss of the iconic singer, who had faced a number of recent health problems.
Rest in peace, your music and legacy will forever live in our hearts,” the statement read, requesting privacy for her family as they grieve.
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The legendary Mexican singer-songwriter Paquita la del Barrio, born Francisca Viveros Barradas in Veracruz in 1947, has passed away at 77. Known for her powerful lyrics that championed women and unapologetically denounced male infidelity and chauvinism, she became an icon of Mexican music.
Her most famous hits, including “Tres Veces te Engañé“ (Three Times I Cheated on You) and “Rata de Dos Patas“ (Two-Legged Rat), became anthems of female empowerment and heartbreak. Inspired by ranchera legends like Antonio Aguilar and Pedro Infante, Paquita developed a unique style that resonated deeply with audiences, especially women who saw their struggles reflected in her music.
“Her live performances, based mainly on feminist songs with aggressive lyrics towards macho attitudes, seduced followers from all over the country,” reads her biography on Spotify.
Career Accomplishments
Over the course of her career, Paquita received numerous accolades, including three Grammy nominations and a 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Billboard Latin Music Awards. “Rata de Dos Patas“ remains a defining song in Latin music, covered by various artists and continuing to inspire new generations.
Although Paquita la del Barrio released over 30 albums and performed thousands of shows, her life remained largely unknown outside the Latin music world until last year, when Netflix released a series highlighting her hard-fought, colorful journey.
Born into poverty in Veracruz, Mexico, Paquita—whose real name was Francisca Viveros Barradas—married young to a man 18 years her senior, only to later discover he had another family. Despite the hardships life threw her way, she rose to fame through sheer talent, her commanding voice, and an unshakable stage presence.
That alone would have made her a star. But what made Paquita legendary was her fearless, biting condemnation of men through extraordinarily harsh yet cathartic songs. Hits like “Rata de Dos Patas“ (Two-Legged Rat) and “Piérdeme el Respeto“ (Lose My Respect) left no room for doubt—Paquita had suffered, and she wasn’t afraid to let the world know.
She sang from experience, pouring her pain into lyrics that resonated with generations of women. Having given her heart to a two-timing scoundrel, she transformed betrayal into anthems of rage and defiance. Lines like “Horrible rat, crawling animal, scum of life, misshapen monster” captured not just her fury but the shared indignation of her countless fans, securing her place as an icon of resilience and female empowerment.
The Mexican Ministry of Culture mourned her passing, calling her an icon of ranchera music.
Her repertoire, with more than 40 record productions spanning rancheras, banda, and norteñas, was distinguished by raising her voice against injustices toward women. Rest in peace,” the ministry stated in a post on X.
La Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México lamenta profundamente el fallecimiento de Paquita la del Barrio (1947-2025), icónica representante de la música ranchera y popular mexicana.
Francisca Viveros Barradas dejó una huella imborrable con su voz inconfundible y su estilo… pic.twitter.com/0fEe3QF4IZ
— Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México (@CulturaCiudadMx) February 17, 2025
Throughout her 50-year career, Paquita la del Barrio, who passed away at 77, earned the respect of fellow Mexican musicians and blazed a trail for women in the traditionally male-dominated worlds of rancheras and boleros. She was, for women, what Vicente Fernández was for men—a powerful voice that embodied their struggles, passions, and resilience.
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