Jorge Negrete

Early Life

Jorge Alberto Negrete Moreno was born on November 30, 1911, in Guanajuato, Mexico, into a family with a rich military heritage. His father, a colonel in the Mexican Army, moved the family to Mexico City around 1920, where he worked as a math teacher. Negrete's early education was marked by brilliance, and he became fluent in several languages, including German, English, French, and Italian. At the age of thirteen, due to misbehavior, he was enrolled in military school, graduating as a sub-lieutenant from El Colegio Militar. It was during this time that his passion for music began to flourish, aided by his studies under renowned singing professor José Pierson.

Career

Negrete's musical journey took off when he began singing for Radio XETR at the age of twenty. He recorded several operas in the United States under the stage name Alberto Moreno in 1932. However, he soon transitioned to the ranchera genre, becoming a beloved figure in Mexican music and cinema. His powerful voice and charismatic presence made him a star, and he became known as "El Charro Cantor." Throughout his career, he released numerous albums, including notable works like "30 grandes de Negrete" and "El Charro Inmortal - Sus Grandes Exitos, Vol. 2." His contributions to music earned him a place in the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame.

Personal Life

Negrete was the son of Emilia Moreno Anaya and David Negrete Fernández and had a large family with two brothers and three sisters. He had one daughter, Diana, born in 1942, and five grandchildren, some of whom have followed in his footsteps as professional singers. His legacy continues through his family and the enduring popularity of his music, which remains a significant part of Mexican culture.