Vicente Fernández had a net worth of $25 million at the time of his death in 2021, a testament to his status as one of the most iconic and influential figures in Mexican music history. Known affectionately as “El Rey de la Música Ranchera”, Fernández spent more than five decades shaping Latin music, starring in films, selling tens of millions of albums, and earning global recognition for his powerful voice and commanding presence.
| Vicente Fernández Net Worth | $25 Million |
| Date of birth | February 17, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
Below is a detailed look at how Vicente Fernández built his extraordinary legacy and multi-million-dollar net worth.
Early Life
Vicente Fernández Gómez was born on February 17, 1940, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, into a hardworking family—his father was a rancher and his mother a homemaker. He developed an early passion for acting and music after receiving his first guitar as a child.
Despite his dreams, Vicente’s early life was marked by struggle. After completing elementary school, his family moved to Tijuana, where he worked a variety of jobs, including as a painter, bricklayer, cabinetmaker, and later as a cashier at his uncle’s restaurant. During this time, he began performing at restaurants, weddings, and local events, eventually joining several mariachi groups.
These humble beginnings laid the foundation for a career that would reshape Regional Mexican music.
Career
At just 21 years old, Fernández made his first paid TV appearance on La Calandria Musical. In 1965, he moved to Mexico City to fully pursue a music career and soon earned a recording contract with CBS México.
He released several early albums, including:
- Soy de Abajo
- Ni en Defensa Propia
- Palabra de Rey
Shortly after, he recorded several influential albums such as La Voz Que Estabas Esperando, El Rey, El Hijo del Pueblo, and Para Recordar, gaining traction in the growing ranchera market.
International Fame
Vicente Fernández’s first major international success came in 1978 with his iconic cover of “Volver, Volver”, one of the most recognized ranchera songs of all time.
Record-Breaking Success in the ’80s and ’90s
- In 1983, his album 15 Grandes Con el Número Uno sold over one million copies, cementing him as a force in Latin music.
- By the 1990s, he became known in the U.S. as the “Mexican Sinatra”, thanks to his emotional ballads and timeless mariachi sound.
During this decade, Fernández released several hit albums, including:
- Lástima Que Seas Ajena
- Aunque Me Duela el Alma
- La Mentira
He also received five Grammy Award nominations, reinforcing his global appeal.
Chart Dominance
The 2000s brought even more triumphs for Fernández as he continued releasing best-selling albums well into his senior years.
Notable Albums From the 2000s–2020s
- Más Con el Número Uno
- En Vivo Juntos Por Última Vez
- Se Me Hizo Tarde la Vida
- La Tragedia del Vaquero
One of his greatest successes arrived in 2007 with the album “Para Siempre”, which sold over two million copies worldwide and won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Ranchero Album.
He continued releasing award-winning projects, including:
- Primera Fila
- Necesito de Ti
- El Hombre Que Más Te Amó
- Hoy
In 2021, at age 80, he won his final Latin Grammy Award for A Mis 80’s, proving his enduring relevance.
Record-Breaking Farewell Concert
In April 2016, Fernández performed a historic farewell concert at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City before more than 80,000 fans. Lasting over four hours, the performance featured more than 40 live songs.
The concert was later released as “Un Azteca En El Azteca, Vol. 1 (En Vivo)”, which won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album in 2017.
Acting Career
Beyond music, Vicente Fernández enjoyed a successful acting career. He debuted in the 1971 film Tacos al Carbón and earned his first major role in “La Ley del Monte” (1976).
Over the next two decades, he starred in 30 films, many directed by Rafael Villaseñor Kuri. He often portrayed the quintessential macho charro mexicano, further strengthening his cultural influence.
Notable films include:
- Por tu Maldito Amor
- El Hijo del Pueblo
- Mi Querido Viejo (1991), his final film role
His cinematic success added significantly to his income and fame.
Vicente Fernández Awards
Vicente Fernández’s accolades reflect his unmatched legacy:
- 50 million albums sold worldwide
- 9 Latin Grammy Awards
- 3 Grammy Awards
- 14 Lo Nuestro Awards
- Over 80 albums and 30 films
He is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential Mexican performers of all time.
Personal Life
Vicente married María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor (“Doña Cuquita”) in 1963. They had four children:
- Vicente Jr.
- Alejandro Fernández (a Grammy-winning singer)
- Gerardo Fernández
- Adopted daughter Alejandra Fernández
The family performed together on many occasions and became a beloved dynasty in Mexican entertainment.
In 1998, tragedy struck when Vicente Jr. was kidnapped and released only after a large ransom was paid—after his captors amputated one of his fingers as a warning.
Vicente Fernández Death
Later in life, Fernández battled numerous health issues, including prostate cancer, liver cancer, thrombosis, abdominal hernias, and finally, complications from a fall that caused cervical spine injuries.
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His health worsened in 2021 due to pneumonia, and he passed away on December 12, 2021, at 81 years old, leaving behind a legendary cultural legacy.
Vicente Fernández Net Worth
At the time of his death, Vicente Fernández net worth was $25 million.
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