Juan Gabriel, Mexico's top-selling artist, died peacefully at his home in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sunday of an apparent heart attack, per the BBC. He was 66. Though not all were familiar with his music, his songs were like hymns to many in Latin America and beyond, reports the New York Times. More coverage:
- Rolling Stone describes his "rags to riches" story: Born Alberto Aguilera Valadez, the youngest of 10 children, he was sent to an orphanage at age four and later sold tortillas on the street before rising to fame.
- The Los Angeles Times describes how he became "an icon in Mexico's gay subculture," though he never actually spoke openly about his sexuality.