Who is Vicente Fernandez’s wife? His love story with 'Dona Cuquita' spans over 60 years

Vidente Fernendez tied the knot with Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor in 1963
PUBLISHED DEC 12, 2021
Vicente Fernandez tied the knot with Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor in 1963 (Instagram/@_vicentefdez)
Vicente Fernandez tied the knot with Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor in 1963 (Instagram/@_vicentefdez)

Mexican singer Vicente Fernandez and his doting wife Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor have been together for over six decades, albeit not much is known about her.

Fans inundated social media with heartfelt wishes for the mariachi legend's fast recovery after an accident landed him in the emergency room with a critical spinal injury. Speaking of recoveries, MEAWW previously reported how golf legend Tiger Woods shared a video of himself practicing golf for the first time since his horrific car crash. We also reported how Blackpink's Lisa was flooded with "get well soon" posts after testing positive for Covid.

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Who is Vicente Fernandez's wife Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor?

Fernandez tied the knot with Maria del Refugio Abarca Villasenor in 1963. She has since been nicknamed "Dona Cuquita". According to The Sun, the pair were neighbors in Guadalajara growing up but only got into a romantic relationship after Fernandez had already moved to Mexico City to pursue his music career.



 

The doting couple has four children together, namely Alejandra, Gerardo, Alejandro and Vicente. Meanwhile, they also have five grandchildren Camila, Alejandro Fernandez Jr, America, Valentina and Emiliano.



 

Now 81, the retired Mexican singer and actor often goes by the names Chente, El Charro de Huentitan (The Charro from Huentitan), El Idolo de Mexico (The Idol of Mexico) and El Rey de la Musica Ranchera (The King of Ranchera Music). His career started as a busker on the street but he has since become a cultural icon, recording more than 50 albums and contributing to more than 30 movies. His collection boasts several rancheras and other Mexican classics, which are often accompanied by a live mariachi group.

Don Chente's illustrious career saw him win three Grammy Awards, eight Latin Grammy Awards, 14 Lo Nuestro Awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is one of the best-selling regional artists of all time, clocking more than 50 million copies sold across the globe. While he retired from live performances in 2016, the crooner continues to make music.

Ranchera singer Vicente Fernandez poses with his son Alejandro Fernandez with a Star On The Walk Of Fame (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The Mexican icon was hospitalized a few months back after suffering a critical fall at his Guadalajara residence. The incident reportedly caused a severe spinal injury that called for immediate surgery. Doctors said he underwent cervical surgery and was moved to the ICU after the operation. Vicente Fernandez’s condition is "undoubtedly serious, but stable," according to an official statement released on his Instagram.

“We thank the media, as well as his loyal followers and inform on behalf of his medical team with the permission of the Fernandez Abarca family, that the current state of Don Vicente Fernandez is undoubtedly serious, but stable, as is the sequence of trauma caused by the fall itself that generated spinal cord trauma at the level of the cervical spine," the statement read. “At this point in the post-operative period, he is undergoing ventilatory assistance and critical patient care in the Intensive Care Unit. Thanking everyone for their concern. They will be kept informed according to its evolution," it added.

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