Rosita Fernandez (1919–2006), named "San Antonio's First Lady of Song" by Lady Bird Johnson,[1] was a Tejano music singer, radio star, actress and humanitarian. She was born in Monterrey, Mexico and received her early education in Laredo, Texas. She moved with her family to San Antonio, Texas at age nine.[2]
She began her singing career at age 14, performing with her uncles in their group, Trio San Miguel.[1] In 1932, she became the star of a radio program on WOAI in San Antonio, and in 1933 recorded jingles for several radio commercials. In 1949,[1] she performed on the first broadcast on WOAI television, and later became a regular on several shows.[2]
In 1938, Fernandez married Raul Almaguer, and the couple had two children.[2]
On the silver screen, she was cast as the main part in Sancho, The Homing Steer, a 1963 Disney made for TV movie. She also had roles in The Alamo with John Wayne in 1960, and in Three Hundred Miles for Stephanie, and Seguin.[2]
Beginning in the 1950s, Fernandez performed in the annual summer show Fiesta Noche del Rio at the Arneson River Theater on the San Antonio River. She also was a featured performer each spring at the Night in Old San Antonio event at San Antonio's Fiesta celebration.[2]
Fernandez retired from performing in 1982. That same year, a bridge crossing the San Antonio River at the Arneson River Theater was named the "Rosita Bridge" in her honor. Other honors include induction into the San Antonio Musicians Hall of Fame in 1979, the Woman of the Year award in 1983, and induction into the San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame in 1984.[2]