Colombian singer Juanes is going through a moment of deep sorrow after the death of his mother, Alicia Vásquez, which occurred early in the morning of September 8 in Medellín, Colombia. According to local media such as RCN Noticias, the woman died at the age of 95, apparently of natural causes.
So far, the singer of “A Dios le pido” has not made any public statements, but on September 10, his team confirmed that the family is grieving in privacy and that, out of respect, no details have been released about the funeral services.
Alicia Vásquez was not only the mother of Juanes, whose real name is Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez, but also a key figure in his personal and artistic formation. The musician himself has acknowledged in several interviews that his mother was one of his main sources of inspiration and the person who most influenced his vision of life.
Their bond was so close that the singer decided to have her face tattooed on his right arm, as a way of always carrying her with him. Likewise, he has mentioned her in several of his songs and speeches, making it clear that his legacy goes beyond the family sphere.
Alicia Vásquez was the mother of six children with her husband Javier Aristizábal, who passed away in 1995. After the loss of her husband, she became a pillar for her children, keeping the family together in the midst of difficulties. Those who knew her emphasize her serene character, her faith and her closeness to the people of her community in Medellín.
Juanes and his mother’s influence
One of the clearest examples of Alicia Vásquez’s influence on Juanes’ career is reflected in the album “La vida es un ratico”, released in 2007. The title of the album comes from one of the phrases most repeated by his mother: “La vida es un ratico”.
In an interview granted years ago to Diario Libre, Doña Alicia explained that she used to repeat this expression to her son to remind him of the importance of enjoying the present: “Juan lives at a thousand, always stressed, accelerated, worried, and I tell him all the time to enjoy, to calm down, that life is just a little while… And that’s how it is”, she said at the time.
This advice deeply marked the artist, who turned the phrase into a musical work that achieved great success and is remembered today as a tribute to maternal wisdom.
The news of Alicia Vásquez’s death has generated expressions of solidarity and condolences from colleagues in the music industry and followers of the singer. Although Juanes remains silent, his fans have flooded his social networks with messages of support, recognizing the fundamental role his mother played in his life and artistic career.
Although no further details are known about the funeral services, those close to Juanes have stressed that the family wishes to live this moment in privacy and seclusion. It is expected that the artist, who is currently nominated for the Premios Juventud, will at some point dedicate a public tribute to his mother, as he has done with other loved ones who have marked his history.
With her departure, Alicia Vásquez leaves a legacy not only in her family, but also in the work of her son, who on more than one occasion has immortalized her through music. For Juanes and his siblings, her life represents an example of strength, humility and unconditional love, values that today keep her memory alive.
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