Latino Celebrities that Passed Away in 2021

The end of the year is always a good excuse to recount what we have been through. Of the purposes fulfilled and those that have not. But it is also a good time to remember those people who are no longer with us. The show business has not been exempt from this and for this reason we want to remember and honor the memory of celebrities who passed away this year.

Vicente Fernandez

On December 12, news broke of the death of singer Vicente Fernández at the age of 81 after health complications and after having spent several months hospitalized as a result of a fall at home.

“El charro de Huentitán”, as he was also known, was one of the main exponents of ranchera music with songs such as Volver, Volver, Que te vaya bonito and Por tu maldito amor, which are just some of his greatest hits. In addition, he ventured into the cinema in films such as La ley del monte, El sinvergüenza, El arracadas, among many others, which consolidated him as an artist. His work brought him several accolades, including two Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards, fourteen Lo Nuestro Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Without a doubt, “Chente” has left an irreplaceable mark on the entertainment world.

Read also: 6 Stunning Facts You Did Not Know About Vicente Fernández

Carmen Salinas

Born in Torreón, in northern Mexico, Carmen Salinas was an actress, comedian, politician and theatrical businesswoman who died on December 9 at the age of 82 after being hospitalized for several weeks after suffering a stroke.

The famous actress made her film debut with the film La vida inutil de Pito Pérez. It was in the seventies and eighties, with the arrival of the so-called “ficheras cinema”, which gained relevance in films such as Bellas de noche, Muñecas de midnight, La pulquería , among others. On television, she made several soap operas such as María Mercedes, María la del barrio, Mi fortuna es amarte, among many others. He also participated in politics as a representative in the Chamber of Deputies of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). One of her most remembered characters is that of “la Corcholata” in different films of the “cine de ficheras” that throughout his 68-year career earned her the affection of the public.

Rosita Quintana

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and nationalized Mexican, Rosita Quintana was an actress, singer and songwriter considered one of the last legends of Mexican cinema who passed away on August 23 at the age of 96.

The one also known as “The lady of America”, participated in films such as Calabacitas tiernas, No me defiendas compadre, El mil amores, Serenata en México, Cuando México canta, among many others with characters such as Germán Valdés “Tin Tan”, Luis Aguilar, Joaquín Pardavé and Pedro Infante.

Among the recognitions she received throughout her career, the Wurlitzer Prize for the best ranchera in 1955 stands out, as well as, the Ariel de Oro for career awarded by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences in 2016.  

Johnny Ventura

Juan de Dios Ventura Soriano, better known as Johnny Ventura, was a merengue singer born in the Dominican Republic who died of a heart attack on July 28 at the age of 81.

Ventura was very popular in the sixties, seventies and eighties considered by many as “The father of modern merengue” and one of the best merengue singers in history. His discography is made up of 105 record productions, his recordings have been awarded 28 gold records, 2 platinum, as well as a Latin Grammy in 2004 and a Grammy for Excellence for his career in 2006.

Roberto Roena

Roberto Roena, “El rey del bongó, ”was a Puerto Rican bongo player, percussionist, salsa dancer and conductor who passed away at the age of 81 on September 23.

He began his career as a dancer in Puerto Rico, which earned him the nickname “The Great Dancer.” His first approach to music was in the Cortijo y su Combo group, composed mainly of Afro-descendant musicians, the first to gain access to platforms where only white artists performed.

Johnny Pacheco

Considered one of the most influential figures in Latin and Caribbean music. Juan Pablo Pacheco Knipping, better known as Johnny Pacheco, passed away at the age of 85 on February 15.

Born in the Dominican Republic, he also called “Zorro de Plata”, was a musician, flutist, composer, arranger, director and producer of Cuban music and salsa. He recorded and composed more than 150 songs. In addition, he was recognized in 1996 by the president of the Dominican Republic, Joaquín Balaquer, with the Presidential Medal of Honor as he was decisive in the consolidation of salsa.