The late Jenni Rivera’s children celebrated the Mexican-American Banda singer at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Thursday, where they received the honor of unveiling their mother’s star.
Known worldwide as “The diva of the Banda“, the local Long Beach tragic died in a plane crash in 2012, south of Monterrey, Mexico. The 43-year-old had just finished a sold-out performance in Mexico and was flying back to California. She was at the peak of her career.
Dolores Janney “Jenni” Rivera Saavedra was born to immigrant parents in Long Beach. The Latin Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School.
Her children spoke about their mother’s character and career during the ceremony. “Today we gather to celebrate the achievements of a genre-defining artist: radio personality, TV personality, philanthropist, aspiring actress and mother of five. And before that, she was just a little girl from Long Beach,” said Michael Rivera.
In 2015 the The city of Long Beach has named a park after herthe Jenni Rivera Memorial Park. During the park’s dedication ceremony, she was named “One of Our City’s Most Inspiring Native Daughters” by then-Mayor Robert Garcia.
“Even after amassing countless fans, accolades and achievements, she was always that little girl from Long Beach. She carried that pride for the city with her everywhere she went,” said her son Michael.
Rivera was drawn to music and launched her career in 1992 with her first album, “Somos Rivera”, which was released on a music label her parents had set up in their garage. It was said to have been a gift for her father, Pedro Rivera.
Rivera, a mother of five and grandmother of two, was known for her openness about her personal struggles, which endeared her to millions of people in the U.S. and Mexico.
“I am the same as the audience and my fans,” she told The Associated Press in a 2011 interview.
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Rivera sold 15 million records and won two Billboard Mexican Music Awards: Female Artist of the Year and Banda Album of the Year for “Joyas Prestadas: Banda.” She was nominated for Latin Grammys in 2002, 2008 and 2011.
Her catalog includes multi-platinum #1 albums such as ‘Parrandera; Rebel and Deceiver, ‘The Great Lady’,” And “Joyas Achievements.”
Rivera was named the “Top Latin Artist of 2013” by Billboard Magazine and was the highest-earning Banda singer of all time with 20 million albums sold.
“I am so grateful, it is such an honor to be the daughter of such an amazing woman. A woman who has achieved so much, yes, but more than anything, to be the daughter of a woman who left her footprint left on this earth and in the hearts of so many people,” said Chiquis Rivera.
“She’s here in spirit to celebrate with us. I’m so proud of you, Mom,” Michael Rivera said.
