Jenni Rivera was a singer.
Dolores Janney Rivera Saavedra ( July 2 , 1969 -- December 9 , 2012 ) , better known as Jenni Rivera , was an American singer , songwriter , actress , television producer , spokesperson , philanthropist and entrepreneur known for her work within the Banda and ranchera music genres . Rivera released her first studio album , Si Quieres Verme Llorar , in the late 1990s , failing to attain commercial success ; however , she rose to prominence in the United States and Mexico with her major-label debut , Parrandera , Rebelde y Atrevida . Her tenth studio album , Jenni ( 2008 ) became her first No. 1 record on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States .