Watch Paquita la del Barrio (Mexico)

Paquita la del Barrio is a Mexican ranchera singer who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with her powerful voice and heartbreak songs. Born Francisca Viveros Barradas in Alto Lucero, Veracruz, Mexico, Paquita got her start singing in local bars and nightclubs. She earned the nickname "Paquita la del Barrio" (Paquita from the Neighborhood) for singing about the struggles of everyday people in working-class neighborhoods.

In the 1980s, Paquita began recording albums with Mexican record label Musart. Her second album, Mi Grito...Mi Grito, featured her breakout hit "Rata de Dos Patas" ("Two-Legged Rat"). The scornful ranchera song called out an unfaithful lover and quickly became a major hit across Latin America. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Paquita cemented her status as one of Mexico's top ranchera singers with other angry, female-empowerment anthems like "Las Mujeres Mandan" ("Women Rule") and "Me Saludas A La Tuya" ("Say Hi To Your Lady").

Beyond her music, Paquita la del Barrio has become known for her outrageous and candid personality. She frequently speaks out against machismo and domestic abuse, and her brash style has earned her the nickname "La Guerrillera del Bolero" ("The Ballad Warrior Woman"). Onstage, Paquita mesmerizes fans with her passionate performances, wearing elegant gowns and singing with her powerful, raspy voice. Offstage, she shows her warm humor in interviews and remains fiercely beloved by working-class fans.

Now in her 70s, Paquita la del Barrio continues recording new albums and performing concerts across Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. She has won multiple awards including a Grammy and Latin Grammy for Best Banda Album. Her lasting legacy and influence is demonstrated by the many Latin pop stars who have recorded cover versions of her classic rancheras over the decades. After over 50 years of empowering women and giving voice to the struggles of everyday people, Paquita la del Barrio remains one of Mexico's most iconic and beloved singers.

Paquita la del Barrio (Mexico) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (74 episodes) between April 25, 2017 and on Cadena Tres