Paquita la del Barrio Receives Majestic Mariachi Tribute in Mexico City Farewell Ceremony

A portrait of late Mexican singer Francisca Viveros Barradas, better known as Paquita la del Barrio, is seen next to an urn containing her remains during a tribute in her hometown, Alto Lucero, Veracruz State, Mexico, on February 19, 2025. Victoria Razo/AFP via Getty Imag Espa?ol

Hundreds of people participated in a heartfelt posthumous tribute to the iconic Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio on Friday (February 21). Her remains were transferred to her restaurant in the Guerrero neighborhood, located in the Historic Center of Mexico City. A mass was held in her honor and everyone who wished could pay their final respects by entering her establishment.

The procession carrying her ashes began at a funeral home in the central Jurez neighborhood. It traveled along part of touristy Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, eventually reaching the iconic Plaza Garibaldi. Around midday, Paquita’s fansmostly womenand mariachi groups awaited, performing some of her most famous songs like Tres Veces Te Enga? and Rata de Dos Patas. The route also included a stop at a public market where merchants paused their activities to say goodbye to the iconic singer. She passed away on Monday (February 17) due to a heart attack while sleeping in her home in Veracruz, as confirmed by her manager Francisco Torres.

Paquita la del Barrio rose to fame with songs about infidelity and heartbreak. Thank you for your songs that brought so much joy to my heart! said a visibly moved resident of the Guerrero neighborhood while holding a bouquet of white flowers during an interview on Foro TV. Paquita was a brave woman who sang boldly, another participant remarked, adding that she had been greatly influential in the trans community.

Her neighbors shared countless anecdotes about Paquita la del Barrio with reporters, describing her as a “very humane,” “affectionate,” and “progressive” woman. Some fans were openly crying during a private mass, while others waited outside Casa Paquitaher restaurantin the light rain to pay their respects.

Although Paquita la del Barrio was not originally from Mexico City, she made this central area of the city her second home by opening her restaurant-bar in the late 1970s. Throughout a five-decade career, she became an idol in popular music and received numerous accolades, including:

• The Billboard Regional Mexican Music Award “La Voz” in 2011
• The 2021 Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional career.