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Marisela
Marisela performing live, 2025
Background information
Born	(1966-04-24) April 24, 1966 (age 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Latin pop, ballads
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter
Years active	1984–present
Labels	Various

Marisela ), Marisela (born April 24, 1966) is a Mexican-American singer and songwriter, also known as La Dama de Hierro (“The Iron Lady”). She rose to prominence in the 1980s with her romantic ballads and has maintained a decades-long career in Latin music, becoming recognized as one of the most enduring female voices of her generation.

Early life

Marisela was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrant parents. Raised in a bilingual household, she began singing at a young age and was influenced by the music of Rocío Dúrcal, Juan Gabriel, and other icons of Latin pop and ranchera.

Career

1980s: Breakthrough

Marisela’s debut album, Sin Él (1984), produced by Marco Antonio Solís, included the hit single of the same name, which became her signature ballad. That same year, she recorded the duet “La Pareja Ideal” with Solís, which became one of the most enduring classics of Latin romantic music. Their artistic collaboration coincided with their personal relationship at the time, further fueling public interest in her career.

Her follow-up, Completamente Tuya (1985), continued her success with more charting ballads. In 1986, she released Porque Tengo Ganas, which included the song “Tu dama de hierro,” the nickname by which she is now widely known.

1990s: Established star

In 1990, Marisela released the album Marisela, which included the single “Ya No.” The song reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and became one of her biggest hits. That same year, Ya No was featured in the motion picture Salsa (1990), in which Marisela also appeared performing alongside Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. The exposure helped broaden her audience and cement her reputation as a leading figure in Latin pop during the decade.

2000s–present

Marisela continued recording and touring through the 2000s and 2010s, performing extensively across Mexico, the United States, and Latin America. She has released compilations and live albums highlighting her four decades of hits. In the 2020s, she launched the EMPODERADA Tour 2025 and released new music including the single Sola. She is also working on a duet album in collaboration with Universal Music.

In addition to her music projects, Marisela has announced plans to produce a docuseries based on her life story, which is intended to explore both her career and personal journey.

Legacy

With a career spanning over four decades, Marisela is considered one of the most enduring artists in Latin pop and romantic ballads. She has inspired younger generations of singers and continues to perform to sold-out audiences.

Personal life and advocacy

Marisela has one daughter, Marilyn Odessa, who has followed her into a career in music. The two have also performed together on stage, reflecting a shared family connection to music. Marisela is also known as a supporter of women and their rights, and many women follow her for advice on relationships through her music and public presence.