Marisela Vallejos Felix: Life After Losing Chalino Sánchez’s Wife and Son

Losing someone you love is never easy. But imagine losing not just your husband, but also your son — both in tragic ways. That’s the heartbreaking story of Marisela Vallejos Felix, the wife of legendary Mexican singer Chalino Sánchez.

She lived a quiet life before marrying Chalino. After his music became popular, Marisela’s life changed forever. Sadly, fame also brought danger. Her husband was murdered in 1992, and years later, her son Adán also died in a terrible accident.

In this article, we’ll walk through the life of Marisela Vallejos Felix — from her early days to her marriage with Chalino, and how she survived so much pain and loss. Let’s get to know the strong woman behind one of Mexico’s most loved musicians.

Marisela Vallejos Felix Quick Bio

Who Is Marisela Vallejos Felix?

Marisela Vallejos Felix was born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, sometime in the 1970s. We don’t know her exact birthdate, but most people believe she’s now in her mid-50s as of 2025.

She grew up as an only child and went to a private school in her hometown. Life was simple, and she lived away from the spotlight. That all changed when she met a man named Chalino Sánchez, who would soon become a music legend — and her husband.

Today, Marisela is known mostly because of her connection to Chalino. But behind the fame, she’s a real woman who faced deep pain and lived through stories that many people could never imagine.

How She Met Chalino Sánchez

Marisela met Chalino Sánchez in the early 1980s. At the time, she was working in Los Angeles, California. Interestingly, the meeting wasn’t random — it was set up by Chalino’s cousin.

They quickly fell in love. Chalino was just starting out in music. He was known for writing narcocorridos — songs that told stories about real people, struggles, and even crime. His music wasn’t like others. It was raw and powerful.

Their connection was strong. Marisela supported him, even though his path wasn’t easy. And in 1984, they decided to get married.

Marrying Chalino Sánchez

The wedding took place in 1984, and by that time, Marisela was already pregnant with their son, Adán Sánchez. It was a simple wedding, attended by close family and friends.

As Chalino Sánchez’s wife, Marisela stayed mostly behind the scenes. She wasn’t the type to seek fame. Instead, she focused on being a good wife and mother.

Even though Chalino was becoming more popular in the Mexican-American music world, their home life was humble. He wasn’t rich or famous yet, but Marisela believed in him. She stood by him through thick and thin.

Family Life and Children

Marisela and Chalino had two children together — Adán and Cynthia. Adán was born shortly after their wedding. Cynthia came a few years later.

Chalino loved his family, even though his work was dangerous. He often performed in places where violence was common, especially because of the kind of music he sang. Still, he tried to give his children a better life.

At home, Marisela kept things together. She raised the kids while Chalino focused on music. Even when life was hard, they stayed united. Their home in Paramount, California, was bought by Chalino before his death — a place Marisela still lived in for many years.

The Day Chalino Sánchez Was Killed

May 16, 1992, was the day everything changed for Marisela.

That night, Chalino was performing at Salon Buganvilias in Culiacán, Mexico. During his performance, someone handed him a letter. Many believe it was a death threat. Chalino read it on stage — and walked off soon after.

After the show, he left with his brothers, cousin, and some young women. On the road, armed men pretending to be state police stopped their car. They told Chalino that the “commander” wanted to speak with him. Chalino agreed to go with them.

That was the last time anyone saw him alive.

The next morning, his body was found near an irrigation canal. He had been blindfolded and shot twice in the head. No one was ever arrested. The mystery remains unsolved to this day.

Life After Losing Chalino Sánchez

For Marisela, the pain was impossible to describe. In one moment, she went from being a wife to being a widow. She had two young children to raise — and no husband to help her.

Financially, things were also tough. Many people think she became rich from Chalino’s music, but that’s not true. Chalino had sold the rights to his music before he became famous. That meant Marisela didn’t get any royalties after his death.

She once said, “He never thought his records would sell as well as they did. He never saw himself as an artist.”

But Marisela never gave up. She kept the home Chalino had bought, raised their kids, and stayed strong for her family.

Raising Two Kids Alone

After Chalino’s murder, Marisela became a single mother. It wasn’t easy, but she did everything she could to give her children a good life.

Her son Adán Sánchez was deeply affected by his father’s death. As he got older, he began singing — just like his dad. By age 13, Adán had already started his music career. He recorded songs and gave live performances. People called him the next “King of Corrido.”

Marisela supported Adán’s dream. She kept her pain inside and cheered him on at every step. Meanwhile, their daughter Cynthia stayed out of the spotlight and lived a quiet life.

The Death of Her Son Adán Sánchez

Just when life seemed to be getting better, another tragedy hit Marisela Vallejos Felix. In March 2004, her son Adán Sánchez died in a car accident while visiting Sinaloa, his father’s hometown.

Adán was only 19 years old. He was driving on his way to a concert when the car lost control and flipped. His death shocked everyone — fans, family, and especially his mother.

For Marisela, losing Adán was like reliving the pain of losing Chalino Sánchez all over again. She had already lost her husband in a violent way. Now she had lost her son too, just as he was becoming a star.

Marisela Vallejos Felix Today

As of 2025, Marisela Vallejos Felix is still alive. She lives in the United States, and she continues to live a quiet life away from the media.

She rarely gives interviews. But when she does, she speaks with love and respect about her late husband and son. She keeps their memories alive in her own gentle way.

Marisela never remarried. She stayed faithful to her past and focused on protecting her family’s name. Even though she went through deep pain, she found a way to keep going. Today, many people see her as a quiet but strong woman.

Did Marisela Receive Royalties?

Many fans believe that Chalino Sánchez’s wife became wealthy from his music. But the truth is different. Before his death, Chalino sold the rights to all his music to his record label, Musart.

This meant Marisela didn’t receive any royalties after his songs became popular. She once said that Chalino never thought his music would grow that big. He didn’t know how famous he would become.

However, Marisela does receive some royalties from Adán’s music, since her son had a more modern contract. But her life was never about money. Her biggest goal was to protect her family’s legacy, not to profit from it.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Even though Marisela had lived in the United States for over 30 years, she only became a U.S. citizen in 2018. The process was not easy for her.

She had to prove her source of income, explain her travel history, and show her tax records. She had also spent time going back and forth to Mexico, especially during her mother’s illness.

When she finally got her citizenship, she said she felt free and proud. She said, “I felt liberated. I can now express myself.” That moment gave her peace and confidence to speak out about her family and her past.

Her Role in Chalino and Adán’s Legacy

Today, Marisela Vallejos Felix continues to honor the memory of her husband and son. She has attended public events like EstrellaTV’s Premios de la Radio and other tribute shows.

She also keeps their belongings safe — clothes, photos, and memories. These things remind her of their love and their lives.

She has also spoken out when others tried to take credit for Chalino’s success. Once, she corrected a claim made by Pedro Rivera, who said he “made” Chalino a star. Marisela didn’t agree. She said Chalino worked hard for his music and earned everything on his own.

There have been talks about a TV series or movie based on Chalino’s life. Marisela said there’s already a script, and if done right, she would support it. Her goal is to tell their story honestly — not for fame, but for truth.

Final Thoughts

The life of Marisela Vallejos Felix is filled with pain, love, and strength. She lost her husband, Chalino Sánchez, in a shocking murder. Then, she lost her son Adán in a terrible accident. But through it all, she stayed strong.

She never chased fame. She never forgot her roots. Instead, she focused on keeping her family’s memory alive, with quiet dignity.

Marisela’s story shows that even in deep sorrow, a person can still stand tall. She reminds us that behind every famous name, there’s a human story — filled with love, loss, and the will to move forward.

In the end, Marisela Vallejos Felix didn’t just survive — she kept the light of her family burning for the world to see.

(FAQs)

Is Marisela Vallejos Felix still alive in 2025?

Yes, she is still alive. Marisela lives a quiet life in the U.S. She sometimes appears at tribute events, but mostly stays out of the spotlight.

How old is Marisela Vallejos Felix now?

She was born in the 1970s, but her exact birthday is unknown. As of 2025, she is believed to be around 54 to 56 years old.

Is Marisela Vallejos Felix on Instagram?

No, she does not use Instagram. Marisela avoids social media and prefers to keep her life private.

Did Marisela Vallejos Felix have problems with Jenni Rivera’s family?

Yes, she spoke out against Pedro Rivera, Jenni Rivera’s father. He claimed he made Chalino famous. Marisela said that was not true — Chalino earned his fame on his own.