Ana Bárbara

Ana Bárbara was married to José María Fernández, known as Pirru, from 2006 to 2010. She has three children, Emiliano, José María and Jerónimo. Jerónimo was conceived through artificial insemination, and Ana Bárbara later identified singer-songwriter Reyli Barba as his biological father.

In 2011, Ana Bárbara received treatment in Spain for depression and anorexia. She later relocated from Mexico to the Los Angeles area with her children.

Before her recording career, Ana Bárbara represented San Luis Potosí in the Señorita México beauty contest after winning the state title. In 1993, she was named Rostro del Heraldo de México and Ambassador of Ranchera Music. That recognition led to an invitation to sing at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.

She signed with Fonovisa in 1994 and released her self-titled debut album under the stage name Ana Bárbara. Her second album, La Trampa, established her popularity in regional Mexican music, while songs such as “Nada,” “Me Asusta Pero Me Gusta,” “No Lloraré” and “Ya No Te Creo Nada” helped earn her the title La Reina Grupera.

Her 1996 album Ay, Amor expanded her international audience. In 1998, her album Los Besos No Se Dan En La Camisa included Marco Antonio Solís's song “Como Me Haces Falta,” which became a major radio hit in Mexico and the United States. She began songwriting with her 1999 album Tu Decisión.

Ana Bárbara changed direction with Te Regalo La Lluvia, a mariachi and ranchera album released in 2001. The record challenged the grupera image associated with her earlier work and brought her a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Ranchero Album.

She returned to her regional Mexican sound with Te Atraparé...Bandido in 2003 and Loca de Amar in 2004. The singles “Bandido,” “Deja,” “Loca” and “Lo Busqué” became prominent songs in her repertoire. In 2005, Loca de Amar won the Latin Grammy for Best Grupero Album, making Ana Bárbara the first solo grupero act recognized in that category.

After a break from recording, she released Rompiendo Cadenas in 2009. The album moved toward urban Latin pop and was produced by Luny Tunes. It was released through her own AB Productions and Lo Busqué Productions after she left Fonovisa.

Her 2013 album Yo Soy La Mujer was her first full banda album. Its regional Mexican direction followed the Latin pop period of Rompiendo Cadenas, and the album reached number 11 on the United States Top Latin Albums chart.

Ana Bárbara made her acting debut in the television film Todo Contigo in 1999 and later appeared in productions including Mujer, casos de la vida real, La escuelita VIP and Una Familia Con Suerte. She also appeared as a musical guest in Amores verdaderos and Marido en alquiler.

In 2012, she became a judge on the music competition program Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento. She later served as a judge on La Academia and appeared as a participant on ¿Quién es la máscara? México, where she finished second in the fourth season.

Her song “Dos Abrazos” appeared in the 2012 film Border Run. She also hosted the 2013 Latin Billboard Music Awards and celebrated two decades in music with a concert at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre in 2014.

Ana Bárbara has received four Lo Nuestro Awards for Regional Mexican Female Artist of the Year. A star honoring her was unveiled on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars in 2016.