The life story of María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, the first wife of Vicente Fernández
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, fondly known as Doña Cuquita, was married to legendary Mexican ranchera singer Vicente Fernández for nearly 6 decades until he died in 2021. The late singer often expressed his adoration for her and even wrote on Instagram during Valentine's Day 2020:
Life has taught me that true love always finds its way. I enjoy every moment with my beautiful Cuquita.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- A young María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor met Vicente Fernández when she was a teenager, and they married in 1963.
- They both grew up in the state of Jalisco, where they purchased their iconic ranch Rancho Los Tres Potrillos.
- Doña Cuquita and Vicente had four children and have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- The El Rey hitmaker passed away on December 12, 2021, two weeks before his 58th anniversary with María.
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor's profile summary
Full name | María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor |
Nickname | Doña Cuquita |
Date of birth | July 23, 1945 |
Age | 80 years old (as of May 2026) |
Place of birth | Guadalajara, Jalisco, México |
Current residence | Tres Potrillos, Jalisco, México |
Zodiac sign | Leo |
Nationality | Mexican |
Ethnicity | Latina |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexual orientation | Straight |
Marital status | Widow |
Spouse | Vicente Fernández (1963-2021) |
Children | Alejandra Fernández, Gerardo Fernández, Alejandro Fernández, Vicente Fernández Jr. |
Who is Vicente Fernández's wife, María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor?
María del Refugio was born on July 23, 1945, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The Fernández family celebrated her 80th birthday in 2025 with the heartfelt Instagram post:
Today we celebrate the 80th birthday of Doña Cuca, the great love of Vicente Fernández. For more than six decades, they shared a story of unwavering love, full of admiration, respect, and companionship. She was his inspiration, his strength, and his home.
Doña Cuquita has not shared much about her family. She has an older brother, Jaime Abarca and a sister, Gloria Abarca Villaseñor.
Source: Original
How did Vicente Fernández meet Doña Cuquita?
María del Refugio and Vicente Fernández both grew up in Huentitán, Jalisco. María was the sister of one of Vicente's friends, and she met the Mexican singer in the early 1960s when she was 17.
The pair did not start dating right away because Doña Cuquita was already with someone else. They briefly lost contact when Vicente moved to Mexico City to pursue his singing career.
The singer reconnected with María in early 1963 when he returned to Huentitán following the death of his mother, Paula Gómez, according to Excelsior. Vicente asked her to be his girlfriend with a laurel flower, and she agreed.
Source: Instagram
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor and Vicente Fernández’s marriage
Vicente reportedly told Doña Cuquita to find another man to give her stability, as he left his hometown again to pursue music. When the singer returned a few months later, he got jealous seeing her with someone else.
Fernández reportedly asked the boyfriend to leave and told María, "You and I get married on December 27." True to his word, they tied the knot on December 27, 1963, in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Doña Cuquita and Vicente relocated to Mexico City after their wedding. According to the singer, they had no money and even owed the furniture in their apartment. The couple had many ups and downs, but remained together for almost 58 years. In a January 2020 Instagram post, Vicente wrote:
We've changed over the years, but the sparkle in your eyes is brighter than ever, and my love for you is even stronger.
Source: Instagram
What did Doña Cuquita say about Vicente Fernández's infidelity?
At the height of his career, Vicente Fernández was infamous for his extramarital affairs, but María del Refugio remained by his side until he died on December 12, 2021. In an interview she did in October 2022, Doña Cuquita said if Vicente wanted to leave the family, he would have, but he chose to stay.
As I always said, he was my husband, but although they criticised me, I am not interested; I was not going to take care of a man, I was not going to go after him. Vicente always returned home for love, and he is still here.
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor's children
Doña Cuquita and the late Vicente Fernández had four children. They welcomed three sons, Gerardo Fernández, Alejandro Fernández, and Vicente Fernández Jr. The Volver Volver hitmaker named his iconic estate, Rancho Los Tres Potrillos (The Three Colts Ranch), after his boys.
Vicente Fernández and his wife adopted daughter, Alejandra Fernández, when she was just 40 days old. Alejandra is the biological daughter of María del Refugio's sister, Gloria.
Brothers Vicente Fernández Jr. and Alejandro, popularly known as Al Potrillo, followed in their father's footsteps as famous Mexican singers. Gerardo is a real estate businessman and breeds thoroughbred horses. He is also active in Mexican politics. Alejandra is a fashion designer and mainly stays out of the spotlight.
Source: Instagram
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor's grandchildren
María del Refugio and Vicente have 12 grandchildren. Their son, Alejandro, has five children, including Alex, Camila, América, Emiliano, and Valentina. Apart from América, the other four kids are singers.
Vicente Jr. is also a father of five. From his first marriage with Sissi Penichet, he welcomed Vicente Fernández III, Ramón, Sissi, and Fernanda, and had a daughter, Isabella, with his second wife, Mariana González. Ramón is a country-pop singer.
Gerardo has two children, Gerardo Jr. and Alba, who mostly stay out of the spotlight. Alejandra has yet to welcome any kids. The Fernández dynasty is growing with the arrival of several great-grandkids, including Mia, Waldo, Cayetana, and Nirvana.
Source: Instagram
Who is María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor's new man?
Doña Cuquita sparked new romance rumours in September 2025 when a video of her getting close to a mysterious man went viral. The two were attending the concert of her son, Alejandro Fernández.
The rumour was debunked by Mexican entertainment journalist Pablo Chagra, who said that the man was María's older brother, Jaime. Vicente Fernández's widow has not moved on since his death.
Source: Instagram
FAQs
María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor may not have a Wikipedia page, but she provided stability to Vicente Fernández as the family matriarch. Here are the frequently asked questions about the couple:
When did Cuquita die?
Vicente Fernández's wife, Doña Cuquita, did not die. The 80-year-old lives a low-key life at the couple's Rancho Los Tres Potrillos in Jalisco, Mexico.
How old is María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor?
María Del Refugio is 80 years old as of May 2026. The celebrity wife was born on July 23, 1945, in Guadalajara.
How many children did Vicente Fernández have with María del Refugio?
Vicente and María welcomed three sons, Vicente Jr., Alejandro, and Gerardo. The couple adopted a daughter, Alejandra Fernández.
Who was Vicente Fernández's last wife?
The King of Ranchera music was married once to María del Refugio for nearly 58 years. However, he had several affairs, including with actress Patricia Rivera in the 1980s.
Who inherited Vicente Fernández's fortune?
Vicente Fernández was estimated to be worth $25 million at the time of his death in 2021. The particulars of his formal will were made public, but it is believed his estate was inherited by his immediate family, including his wife, Doña Cuquita and their four children.
How did Vicente Fernández die?
The Mexican singer died on December 12, 2021, at the age of 81 from complications following an emergency surgery. He had a serious fall in August 2021 at his Jalisco ranch, which caused a serious spinal cord injury.
Where was Vicente Fernández buried?
Vicente was laid to rest at his family estate, Rancho Los Tres Potrillos, near Guadalajara. His mausoleum is open to the public.
Source: Instagram
Conclusion
Vicente Fernández's wife, María del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, came into his life when he was still struggling in the music industry and stayed with him till the end. Their marriage was not picture perfect, but they maintained the Fernández family dynasty whose legacy is now in the fourth generation.
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