Juan Gabriel’s hit song "El Palo" reached #1 on the Billboard charts.
Born Alberto Aguilera Valadez on January 7, 1950, in Parácuaro, Michoacán, Gabriel grew up in Juárez, where a music teacher encouraged his singing. At 13, he left home to work and write his first songs, initially performing in church choirs and nightclubs. Seeking stable work as a singer, he moved to Mexico City, enduring periods of homelessness and even wrongful imprisonment.
Despite these hardships, Gabriel secured a recording contract and released his debut album, *El Alma Joven...*. He left an indelible mark on genres such as rock, mariachi, ranchera, and pop but is best known for his soul-stirring ballads like "Querida" (My Dear) and "Amor Eterno" (Eternal Love).
His fame soared with each of his 30 albums, and his dramatic performance style won him legions of fans. Memorable performances include his 1990 show at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the 2009 Latin Grammys, and the 2012 Festival Acapulco.
Though Gabriel never publicly addressed his sexuality, he became an icon for the LGBTQ+ community. His gender-bending fashion, featuring glittery jackets and makeup, inspired many Mexicans to express themselves freely, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Beyond his music, Gabriel’s legacy includes his philanthropic efforts. He donated proceeds from benefit concerts and photo ops to orphanages and founded a home for orphaned children called Semjase.
Immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Juan Gabriel, known as "El Divo de Juárez," provided the soundtrack to countless lives, capturing emotions from love and loss to hope and despair. His music continues to resonate with millions today.
