Vicente Fernández Biography: Wife, Children, Parents, Siblings, Net Worth, Songs

Vicente Fernández, who passed away in 2021, was a renowned Mexican vocalist, performer, and movie producer popularly recognized as “Chente” or “The King of Ranchera Music.” He produced over 100 albums and achieved 40 placements on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, including 25 top 10s and six number ones. 

Some of his most famous songs include “Por Tu Maldito Amor,” “Aca Entre Nos,” “Estas Celos,” “Dos Corazones,” and “El Ultimo Beso.” Fernández also holds the record for the most appearances on Hot Latin Songs for a regional Mexican solo artist, totaling 61. He is the recipient of eight Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards.

Profile

• Full Name: Vicente Fernández Gómez
• Nickname: Chente
• Date of Birth: February 17, 1940
• Age: 84 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Huentitán el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico
• Nationality: Mexican
• Profession: Singer, actor
• Height: 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
• Parents: Ramón Fernández Orozco and Paula Gómez de Fernández
• Siblings: Four siblings
• Spouse: María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor
• Children: Vicente Fernandez Jr., Gerardo Fernandez , Alejandro Fernandez , and Alejandra Fernández Abarca
• Relationship Status: Married
• Net Worth: $25 million

Early Life and Education

Vicente Fernández, who would have been 84 as of 2024, was born on February 17, 1940, in Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco. His parents, Ramón Fernández Orozco and Paula Gómez de Fernández were ranchers and housewives.

As a young boy, he would accompany his mother to watch movies featuring Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, and he would tell his mother that he wanted to be like them when he grew up. At 8, he received a guitar and began learning to play it while studying folk music.

Due to financial difficulties, his family moved to Tijuana after he finished elementary school. Fernández worked various jobs as a teenage bricklayer, painter, and cabinetmaker. He would often sing during his work, and many construction companies requested him as a worker for this reason. 

Later, he worked as a cashier in his uncle’s restaurant. At the age of 14, he started singing at restaurants and weddings and joined different mariachi groups.

He gained local recognition after participating in the radio program Amanecer Tapatío in Jalisco. At 21, he made his first paid appearance on the television show La Calandria Musical.

Personal Life

Vicente Fernández married María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, affectionately known as “Cuquita,” in 1963. The couple’s love story began in their hometown of Guadalajara, where they met and fell deeply in love.

Their marriage has been a cornerstone of Vicente’s life, providing him with unwavering support and companionship throughout his illustrious career.

Together, they have four sons, Vicente Jr., Gerardo, Alejandro, and Alejandro Fernández Abarca, who have followed in their father’s footsteps to varying degrees of success in the entertainment industry.

Career

Fernández had to wait ten years to establish himself in the music industry. After the passing of José Alfredo Jiménez, a renowned figure in ranchera music, in 1973, Fernández emerged as a prominent figure.

His albums “La Voz que estabas Esperando,” “El Rey,” “El Hijo del Pueblo,” and “Para Recordar” sold millions of copies, solidifying his success. 

The song “Volver Volver,” released in 1976, propelled his fame across the United States and the rest of the American continent. In the 1980s, Fernández’s music shifted to focus on the theme of migration, as seen in the song “Los Mandados.” During this time, he established his ranch, “Los 3 Potrillos,” as a center for music production. 

By 1991, he was being compared to “Mexican Sinatra” by the U.S. press, and released a series of classic ranchera albums. In 1998, his son Vicente Jr. was kidnapped, leading to a ransom demand of 5 million dollars, which Fernández Sr. partially paid to secure his son’s release.

Awards

In 1990, Fernández launched the album Vicente Fernandez y las clásicas de José Alfredo Jiménez, paying homage to the renowned Mexican songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez, who greatly influenced his music.

The album earned him the Latin Music Award for Mexican Regional Male Artist of the Year from Billboard and Univision five times from 1989 to 1993. In 1998, Fernández was honored with induction into Billboard’s Latin Music Hall of Fame. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled on November 11, 1998.

In 2002, the Latin Recording Academy named Fernández as Person of the Year, marking his 35th anniversary in the entertainment industry, where he sold over 50 million records and was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. He has 51 albums listed on the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for gold, platinum, and multiplatinum-selling records.

Fernández’s handprints and star can be found at the Paseo de las Luminarias (Plaza de las Estrellas) in Mexico City. Additionally, an arena in Guadalajara was named in his honor in 2005, and he was awarded a statue at the “Plaza de los Mariachis” in Guadalajara in 2019.

Net Worth

According to multiple reports, Vicente Fernandez‘s net worth was $25 million at the time of his death. He amassed this fortune over several decades through his successful career as a Mexican actor, singer, and producer.

Death

Fernandez passed away on December 12, 2021, at the age of 81, due to complications from a spinal injury.  Many mourned his death, including the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who praised him as an icon of Mexican culture.

Fans and fellow musicians paid tribute to Fernandez, highlighting his immense influence and the end of an era in Mexican music.

Controversy

In February 2021, Mexican singer Vicente Fernández was accused of sexually assaulting a singer named Lupita Castro when she was 17 years old, 40 years prior. Castro alleged that she had kept silent due to Fernández’s influence and threats of violence. 

The controversy surrounding Fernández’s life and legacy continued with the release of a new series called “The Last King.” The series has faced criticism for portraying certain aspects of Fernández’s life. 

There has been controversy over a proposal to rename a street in Boyle Heights, California, after Vicente Fernández. Some have argued that the singer’s past comments and behavior make him an unsuitable choice for such an honor.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Filmography

• El Arracadas 
• La Ley del Monte
• Entre Compadres te veas 
• Tacos al carbón

Discography

• Para Siempre 
• Más con el Número Uno
• 15 Grandes con el Número Uno
• Canciones de sus Películas

Books

• Mi Historia: A la Manera de Vicente Fernández (2012)