Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza Mexican singer, actor, producer and screenwriter Date of Birth: 17.05.1919 Country: Mexico

1. Early Life and Family
2. Career in Film
3. Contribution to Music
4. Recognition and Legacy
5. Personal Life
6. Death and Legacy

Early Life and Family

Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza was born on May 17, 1919, in Villanueva, Zacatecas, Mexico. His parents, Ángela Barragán and Jesús Aguilar, had seven children. Aguilar grew up on an old hacienda built in 1596, which his family had owned since the early 19th century.

Career in Film

Aguilar's film career began in 1952, during the golden age of Mexican cinema. He played a significant role in popularizing charrería, Mexico's traditional rodeo, to an international audience. Aguilar became the first performer to incorporate both concerts and rodeos into his tours in the United States and Latin America.

Over the course of his career, Aguilar starred in 167 films, earning him comparisons to American Western icons such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. His films often featured romantic subplots and extolled the virtues of the charro as a Mexican Robin Hood. Aguilar's best-known films include "Bala Perdida" and "Caballo Prieto Azabache."

Contribution to Music

Aguilar's musical career began in 1950 when he recorded his first record at the age of 30. He released over 150 albums over several decades, selling more than 25 million copies. His live performances drew immense crowds.

Aguilar's music, particularly his corridos, remained beloved by Mexican audiences. His songs "Gabino Barrera," "Caballo Prieto Azabache," "Albur de Amor," and "Un Puño de Tierra" became evergreen hits.

Recognition and Legacy

In recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Aguilar received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Paseo de las Luminarias in Mexico City. He remains the only Spanish-language artist to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York for six consecutive nights.

Aguilar's legacy as a singer, actor, producer, and screenwriter continues to inspire generations of Mexican artists. He brought Mexican culture to the global stage and is remembered as a pioneer in his field.

Personal Life

Aguilar was married to actress Flor Silvestre (Guillermina Jiménez). Their younger son, José "Pepe" Aguilar, became a renowned modern Mexican singer. Aguilar's elder son was named Antonio Aguilar Jr.

Death and Legacy

Aguilar passed away on June 19, 2007, at the age of 88, after battling pneumonia. His funeral was attended by thousands of mourners, and his body was laid to rest in a cemetery near his family ranch.