Vicente Fernández, often called “El Rey de la Música Ranchera,” was a towering figure in Mexican music whose deep, expressive voice and charismatic performances made him a beloved icon. One of his most popular songs is “Volver, Volver,” from 1972, which remains instantly recognisable across generations. His legacy is powerful but also complicated: in early 2021 he was accused of sexual assault and alleged inappropriate touching of fans, allegations which he denied.
He was born on February 17, 1940, in the village of Huentitán El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. His father was Ramón Fernández and his mother was Paula Gómez de Fernández. As a young boy he grew up in a modest family and at age 8 he received a guitar and began learning folk music. At age 14 he entered a singing contest in Guadalajara and won, which gave him confidence to sing at local events. His family worked hard to support themselves, and his early years included balancing work and his growing interest in music.
He began his recording career in the summer of 1966 when he signed with CBS México and released his first hits such as “Tu Camino y El Mío,” “Perdóname” and “Cantina del Barrio.” In 1976 his song “Volver, Volver” became a major breakthrough, turning him into an international star and a defining voice of ranchera music.
Over the following decades he recorded more than 100 albums, starred in numerous films playing the proud charro figure, and performed at major venues from Mexico City to New York. In the 1990s and 2000s he continued to release classic albums (such as Aunque me Duela el Almaand Me Voy a Quitar de En Medio) and collected major awards including multiple Grammys and Latin Grammys.
In 2016 he held a farewell concert titled “Un Azteca en el Azteca” at the Estadio Azteca with over 80,000 people attending; after live performing he continued to record music until his later years.
He made his film debut in 1971 in the comedy Tacos al carbón by director Alejandro Galindo, playing a taco‐seller whose life changes after winning a car raffle. Over the next twenty years he starred in more than thirty films, many directed by Rafael Villaseñor Kuri, often in the role of the strong, proud “charro” man.
Some of his most famous movies include La ley del monte (1976), Picardía Mexicana (1978) and Mi querido viejo (1991) which marked his last film. His acting career ran parallel to his music but gradually he shifted focus back to music after his last film, leaving the screen behind.
As of 2025 the estimated net worth of Vicente Fernández was around US $25 million. He earned this wealth mainly from his long and successful music career, which included more than 100 albums and countless live concerts across Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. He also made money from his work in over 30 films, television appearances, and royalties from his classic ranchera songs that continue to sell worldwide.