Rosa Saavedra is a Mexican-born American media personality, the ex-wife of Pedro Rivera, and the mother of 6 American singers, including Grammy Award-winning Lupillo Rivera and the late Jenni Rivera.
Saavedra’s ex, Rivera is a singer and actor who has his name as affiliated to roles in in Entre Balas Viejas Y Loquera, Mujeres Cabronas, and La Dinastia de Los Perez among others. He also composed songs for El Fiscal De Hierro, Camino Al Infierno, Verdugo De Traidores, and Escape Sangriento.
Regardless of the fame that Saavedra may have attracted through her affiliations with famous people, she equally has prowess in singing. She also gained attention, following the death of her daughter, Jenni as a result of several controversies.
Who Is Rosa Saavedra?
Rosa Saavedra is the ex-wife of Pedro Rivera, an American musician, producer, and actor. The 76-year-old was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico on April 18, 1948.
At the time she was 14, she was said to have eloped with Pedro. This led to his being jailed after a complaint from her father against the actor.
Along the line, Rosa moved to America in search of a better life with her ex-husband. Prior to that, Rivera reportedly sold lottery tickets to make ends meet. Also, their earliest years in America were not so rosy but they subsequently found a place to build themselves to become a celebrated couple with big a name in the entertainment industry.
See Also: Chiquis Rivera,12 Important Facts To Know About Her
10 Interesting Facts About Rosa Saavedra
1. How the 45 Years of Marriage Between Rosa Saavedra and Pedro Rivera Ended
Her first and only marriage was to Pedro Rivera. The two met in Mexico where they lived close to each other and later married in 1963. As the events will unfold, their future was closely linked but in a different country.
They spent 45 years of their lives as a married couple. Through the years, they went through the struggle of setting the sail on their ship and having children.
However, their beautiful love story came to an end when they divorced in 2008. Pedro claims the decision was that of Rosa.
2. 5 Among her 6 Children are Well-Established Singers
A memorable part of her marriage to Pedro is the children they had together. Rosa had six children but only five are still alive. She had her eldest child, Pete Rivera in 1964 followed by other children.
She raised her children in a tight music household since her husband was into music production and he owns a record label, Cintas Acuario.
Currently, 5 of Rosa’s 6 children are professional musicians. Here’s what to know about them.
Her Eldest Son Is A Pastor And Gospel Singer
Rosa’s eldest son Pedro Rivera Jr. is on a different route. He is a pastor and gospel musician.
The common thing he shares with his famous siblings is music.
Lupillo Rivera is a Grammy Award-winning Singer
Rosa’s son, Lupillo was born in Long Beach, California. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1990.
He took to music in the 1990s and never looked back. The singer has recorded several music works that turned heads and also won him awards, including 3 Grammy nominations that he ended up winning 1 in 2010. He won the award for his Tu Esclavo y Amo album in the category of Best Banda Album.
He is also a winner of 3 Lo Nuestro Awards in 2002 for:
- Regional Mexican Male Artist of the Year
- Banda Artist of the Years
- Regional Album of the Year
Some of his most notable works include Selena, La Estrella (1995), Despreciado (2001), Entre Copas Y Botellas (2006), and El Tiro de Gracia (2009).
Jenni Rivera, Rosa’s Daughter Sold More Than 20 Million Albums in a Year
Jenni Rivera, born Delores Janney Rivera Saavedra on July 2, 1969, was an all-around entertainer. Her career cut across singing, songwriting, TV production, acting, and business.
She was however most famous as a singer with styles in Banda, Mariachi, and Norteño. In 2013 alone, after her death, she sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. This would make her the highest-earning banda musician of all time at the time of this writing.
The daughter of Rosa Saavereda has also been listed by many sources, including CNN, as one of the most important female figures in Regional Mexican music.
Some of her most notable albums include Si Quieres Verme Llorar (1999), Mi Vida Loca (2007), Joyas Prestadas: Pop (2011), and Joyas Prestadas: Banda (2011).
After making a name for herself, Jenni died in a Mexico Learjet 25 crash on December 9, 2012, at the age of 43.
Her son Juan Rivera is an Actor and Musician
Juan Rivera started his journey as a professional musician at the age of 16 in 1996, with El Atizador as his first record. He has other songs such as El Ser Equivocado and La Lampara.
Rosie Rivera is a TV personality and Businesswoman
Rosie, born on July 3, 1981, is one of the most famous of Rosa’s children The 43 years old serves as a TV personality who appeared in I Love Jenni and Rica, Famosa, Latina.
She is also a businesswoman and the former chief executive officer of “Jenni Rivera Enterprises”. Her career with Jenni’s enterprise was cut short in 2021, following an allegation by her late sister’s children about the misappropriation of funds.
Even with the fame that Saavereda’s children may have gained over time and may seem to be closely knitted, they were involved in family disputes. The Rivera’s quarrel is linked to their sister’s death and personal gain to be made.
3. Her Granddaughter Has Been Accused of Sleeping With Her Daughter’s Husband
Chiquis, Jenni’s daughter, and her mother, Jenni were not in speaking condition at the time of her death. Jenni had accused Chiquis of sleeping with her husband Esteban Loaiza – a Mexican retired baseball pitcher who married Rosa’s daughter in 2010.
The granddaughter of Rosa Saavereda had denied ever sleeping with her stepfather. According to the singer, she believed that her mother never truly believe the story of her sleeping with her then-husband.
Chiquis further claimed to be unaware of where the rumor may have started from. What she knew, however, was that she had a love and hate relationship with Jenni which may be a result of the slim age difference (15).
Even at that, there are reports that Jenni did not include Chiquis in her will.
4. She was a Part of the Bio-series about the Life of Jenni Rivera
The Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Barrio is a bio-series that tells the story of the music icon from her lows to highs.
Rosa was a huge part of the making of the series. Her daughter Rosie was one of the producers of the work that was based on Rivera’s New York Times best-selling autobiography titled Unbreakable: My Story, My Way.
5. The Same Man was Said to Have Raped Her Daughters and Granddaughters
The eldest daughter of Rosa Saavedra, Jenni was married 3 times and her first husband, José Trinidad was said to have raped her (Jenni), her daughters, and Rosie.
The marriage also had other forms of abuse such as physical and psychological. However, he was sent to prison for the rape of Jenni, her sister, and her daughters.
This is not the only report of Jenni’s woe in marriage. The late singer had her daughter Chiquis at the age of 15. Her second marriage to Juan López in 1997 ended in 2003. He was also sent to prison for selling drugs and died while serving his time.
Her 3rd marriage to Esteban Loaiza suffered allegations of infidelity. According to some sources, he had an affair with Rosa’s grandaughter, Chiquis – daughter of Jenni and stepdaughter of Loaiza.
6. Rosa And Her Son Lupillo do not Speak to Each Other
The Rivera quarrels are numerous with no end in sight. Yet another unfortunate turn is the fact that Lupillo and his mother, Rosa were not on speaking terms. This looks like history repeating itself but with different characters.
His sister, Jenni had a bad relationship that prevented her from speaking with her daughter, Chiquis.
For years, he distanced himself from other members of his family except for his father, Don Pedro Rivera.
Rosa reportedly could not point to any issue between the two of them that has made their relationship cold.
7. Rosa Saavedra’s Husband Remarried
The end of Rosa and Pedro’s 45-year-old marriage led to Rivera’s move to give love another chance with an entirely different person.
In 2019, Pedro married his then-girlfriend, Juana Ahunada in a secret marriage attended by just the two of them. The announcement he made of his marriage is called a big pun by his fans and followers. Despite the age difference between them, they don’t mind.
Pedro is likely not the man to slow down, he has kissed fans right in front of his wife.
8. She Feared She May be Diagnosed with Cancer
Barely a year after Jenni had died, the ex-wife of Pedro Rivera started to suffer dry throat that was accompanied by pain.
Seeing the doctor, she was said to have had a growth in her vocal cords. A biopsy would be carried out and sent to the lab. The Mexican celebrity wife cum mother was scared she could have cancer.
Subsequently, she was told that it could be a thyroid problem. Nonetheless, she and her family waited earnestly for the result.
9. Rosa Saavedra Net Worth
Most of her life was spent behind the cameras as Pedro Rivera’s wife and mother to Jenni Rivera and her siblings. It is not certain if she had a career or not. Yet, her children and ex-husband turned out great.
Her ex-husband is a great producer with a net worth of $4 million dollars. He made his net worth from music productions, singing, songwriting, and acting.
Their daughter, Jenni is perhaps the wealthiest of the Rivera’s even in death. At the time of her death in 2012, her net worth was estimated $25 million. She made a posthumous wealth of $7 million from the sales of more than 20 million albums after her death. She is also regarded as the highest-selling Banda artist of all time.
To date, her estate is still generating income which is one of the main reasons behind the Rivera family quarrels.
10. Where Is Rosa Saavedra?
Rosa is alive and kicking. Following the death of her daughter at the prime of her life, Rosa is forced to learn to live with her quarreling children and grandchildren.
In 2013, she was diagnosed with lumps on her vocal cords that she feared could be cancer.
She came out to defend her sister, aunt Pita who allegedly acted untoward to her daughter. Rosa is living quietly and handling the death of her child while trying to keep her family together.
