Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor | Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor and Vicente Fernández | Source: Getty Images | Instagram/_vicentefdez
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, also known as Dona Cuquita, was neighbors with her husband before marriage. The couple rarely shared much about their love story, but their family once made headlines when their son was kidnapped in the late 1990s.
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor is the only woman to have ever been known as the late Mexican ranchera musician Vicente Fernandez's wife. The lovebirds were neighbors in their hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico.
They married on December 27, 1963, several months following the death of Vicente's mother. They welcomed four children together, Vicente Jr., Gerardo, Alejandra, and Alejandro, and led a peaceful, rural life, though it was sometimes marred by rumors and troubling times.
Vicente Fernández Gushed about His Wife but Openly Kissed Other Women
Early in his career, Vicente gained a reputation for being an affectionate man. He often included emotional anecdotes about his family when he performed that sometimes led to tears. The singer would also praise his wife, who he frequently posted, as he once did during a 2002 concert.
"I want to thank one woman, [who] during 39, almost 40 years, has given me love, respect, and her trust when I had nothing, sometimes beans, sometimes nothing," he said. Maria was present at the event, and so was her son, Alejandro.
Vicente Fernandez poses for photographers next to his wife, Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, at the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 11, 1998, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
It was a dual concert as both Alejandro and Vicente sang and famously shared a kiss on the lips onstage. Vicente extended this affection to the women in his audience as he was said to kiss them quite "passionately."
The musician was also rumored to have had many extramarital affairs earlier in his career, though as he got older, he preferred a quieter life with his family. When once asked if he thought of himself as a good husband, he responded:
"Everyone knows that I have not been a saint."
Vicente Fernandez (L) kisses his son, Alejandro Fernandez, after a duet at a tribute gala honoring him as the 2002 Latin Recording Academy (LARAS) Person of the Year, on September 17, 2002, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor Cared Little for the Infidelity Rumors
Almost a year after her husband's passing, Maria gave her opinion about the infidelity rumors that characterized much of Vicente's career. She explained that her bond with Vicente was unbreakable and that no matter what happened, he always returned home to her.
"As I always said, he was my husband, but even though they criticize me, they criticized me, I'm not interested, I wasn't going to take care of a man, I wasn't going to follow him. Vicente always returned to his house for love, and he is still here," she expressed (as translated by Google).
Additionally, Maria quelled speculations of tensions within her family, stating they remained a strong unit. "I don't know why they say we are fighting [...] We are not fighting," she clarified, sharing that her children were all focused on their work.
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor speaks during a press conference for singer Vicente Fernandez' new album at Rancho Los 3 Potrillos on August 9, 2023, in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico. | Source: Getty Images
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor's Eldest Son Lost Two Fingers during Kidnapping
Vicente Jr. was taken hostage by what was suspected to be members of a large criminal organization in 1998 and held in captivity. The culprits severed two of his fingers, forcing his father to pay a multi-million dollar ransom for his safe return home.
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