Ana Bárbara

With a distinct vocal range, songwriting and producing talent, Bárbara has defined the modern Grupero performance and is one of the few regional Mexican acts to garner an international following that extends beyond Mexico and the United States.

[citation needed] By then, an unknown Altagracia Ugalde moved forward and began to seize any opportunity to sing at local talent shows, and at times professionally at variety of music events and festivals.

Bárbara received industry accolades as well as invitations to tour and open for some of the biggest regional Mexican artists, such as Vicente Fernandez and Los Tigres del Norte.

[4] Her attractive appearance and sensual dancing style captivated Latin America audiences during promotional tours with hit singles and music videos of No Lloraré and Ya No Te Creo Nada.

It included a duet and background vocals by Solís, as well as a 1982 Los Bukis cover of "Como Me Haces Falta", which quickly became a popular hit.

She participated in "El Último Adiós (The Last Goodbye)", a song written in memory of the 9/11 attacks, which included other artists, such as Alejandro Fernández, Marco Antonio Solís, Thalía, and Ricky Martin, among others.

She continued booking success with popular chart-topping singles like Bandido, Deja, Loca, and Lo Busqué, which dominated airwaves across South America, Mexico, and the United States, as well as on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks.

The star-studded event was held on April 7, 2005, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas and included mainstream acts, such as Thalía, Ana Gabriel, Alejandra Guzman, Olga Tañón, Pepe Aguilar, and Banda el Recodo, among others.

In April 2009, she was featured on the cover of People en Español on the "Los 50 Más Bellos" list, alongside Maite Perroni, and Eva Longoria, among others.

While the lead track "Rompiendo Cadenas" became the album's most notable hit, Latin rock single "Que Ironía" signalled that her patented formula was beginning to run out of steam.

Bárbara later explained that the song was originally written and intended for Mexican pop singer Gloria Trevi, but when her eldest son Emiliano reassured her confidence, she decided to take a new challenge, record the track, and make it her own.

Although album Rompiendo Cadenas did not fare well in sale comparison to previous efforts, it did win Ana Bárbara critical acclaim and was well received by fans.

[18] The first track was "Ahora Tengo", a duet featuring Mexican singer-songwriter Reyli; its music video was filmed in New York and premiered in June 2010.

In October 2012, "Dos Abrazos", a song written by Bárbara from her multi-Grammy nominated album No Es Brujería, appeared in Sharon Stone's 2012 Hollywood motion picture, Border Run.

On December 8, 2012, Bárbara sang Mexico's national anthem during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Márquez IV fight live from Las Vegas, Nevada.

In August, she became the voice of "Yo Soy la Mujer", the theme song to Telemundo's soap opera Marido En Alquiler.

During a press interview at The Congo Room, she stated, "Yo Soy La Mujer" is sentimental, but fun; it has a blend of traditional and modern banda elements and sounds that pay tribute to my heritage and childhood.

[32] A music video for lead single "Ahora Me Toca A Mí" premiered on her official Vevo account, along with a Latin pop version.

Yo Soy La Mujer was released in Mexico in February 2014; a limited edition included two previously unreleased tracks: "Al Pie de un Árbol" and "Como Quieras Quiero".

[34] She performed popular songs from her repertoire, medleys of her beginnings, and classics from icons Juan Gabriel, Lola Beltran, and José Alfredo Jiménez.

The intimate show was full of surprises, including the unexpected appearance by Marco Antonio Solís, who was on hand to personally congratulate her and perform a duet.

[38] In June 2010, tabloid magazines and entertainment television shows speculated over divorce rumors between Ana Bárbara and Pirru, due to his infidelity.

Lead single "No Es Brujería" fared well on Billboard Hot Latin Tracks in the United States, but the promotion was quickly stalled after announcing her second pregnancy.

[42] Follow up single "Vete" was later released in a banda version, as well as a duet of "Con Mis Propias Manos" with Mexican singer Pablo Montero.

Due to immense media pressure, Bárbara granted network Televisa an exclusive interview where she broke down in tears and offered the victim's family an apology about the accident.

[44][45][46] In December 2010, Mexico's CNDH (Human Rights National Committee) recommended that the governor and Municipal President of Quintana Roo review the case after a petition was filed by the victim's family claiming investigative fallacies.

Officials in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo say the singer was driving a Porsche Cayenne that hit the back of another vehicle at a stop light.

Her former record label Fonovisa said, "These recognitions are milestone accomplishments in [her] career that has spanned for more than a decade of uninterrupted success in the United States, Mexico and Latin America.

In a career spanning over 20 years, she has sold over 8 million albums, singles, and videos worldwide, making her one of the few female interpreters of Regional Mexican music to garner an international following that extends beyond México and the United States.

"[60] To celebrate her first career recognition, Bárbara performed a medley of signature songs: "Lo Busque," "Como Me Haces Falta," "Tu Ingratitud," and "Bandido".

Ana Bárbara in Puebla 's Plaza de la Concordia (2005)