Vanessa Villanueva: 5 Shocking Facts About Chris Perez’s Ex-Wife And Her Thriving Life Today

The name Vanessa Villanueva first entered the public spotlight due to her high-profile marriage to Grammy-winning musician Chris Perez, the widower of Tejano legend Selena Quintanilla. While their relationship was a significant chapter in both their lives, Vanessa has since forged a successful path entirely on her own terms, moving from the shadow of a famous marriage to becoming a thriving entrepreneur and private individual.

As of December 12, 2025, the latest updates show that Vanessa Villanueva is happily remarried and focused on her beauty business, having successfully co-parented her two children with Chris Perez. Her journey is a compelling story of resilience, finding a new identity after a public divorce, and building a stable, fulfilling life outside the glare of the entertainment industry.

Vanessa Villanueva: Complete Biographical Profile

Vanessa Villanueva is a Mexican-American actress and entrepreneur who gained recognition following her marriage to guitarist Chris Perez. Her life story is one of transition, moving from a quiet background in Texas to a brief period in the public eye, and then establishing a successful career in the wellness industry.

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• Full Name: Vanessa Villanueva
• Date of Birth: 1971 (Age 54 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
• Nationality: American (Mexican-American heritage)
• First Spouse: Chris Perez (Married: October 26, 2001; Divorced: October 2008)
• Second Spouse: Henry Soliz (Married: 2018)
• Children: Cassie Gabrielle Pérez (b. 1998) and Noah Pérez
• Occupation: Actress, Entrepreneur (Beauty Industry)
• Known For: Ex-wife of Chris Perez; Roles in Memphis Rising: Elvis Returns and Forgotten Memories.
• Current Residence: Portland, Texas, USA

The Unexpected Relationship with Chris Perez and the Divorce

Vanessa Villanueva’s relationship with Chris Perez began in the late 1990s, years after the tragic death of his first wife, Selena Quintanilla. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, John Garza, and their connection quickly blossomed into a serious relationship.

They dated for three years before tying the knot on October 26, 2001. During their marriage, they welcomed two children: their daughter, Cassie Gabrielle Pérez, and their son, Noah Pérez.

Despite their shared life and growing family, the marriage faced immense challenges, ultimately leading to their divorce in October 2008. The primary underlying factor in the dissolution of their marriage was widely reported to be Chris Perez’s struggle to fully cope with the trauma and grief from Selena’s death, which deeply impacted his personal stability.

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The emotional and psychological burden of his past, coupled with personal struggles, created an unresolvable strain on their union. While the former couple has maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship, the divorce marked a necessary turning point for Vanessa to seek a more stable and forward-looking life for herself and her children.

Life After Divorce: A Successful Entrepreneurial Pivot

Following her divorce from Chris Perez, Vanessa Villanueva made a conscious decision to step away from the entertainment spotlight and focus on building a stable career and private life. This pivot led her into the world of entrepreneurship, specifically in the beauty and wellness industry.

Vanessa is the owner and operator of V's Day Spa, a popular nail salon and private beauty spa located in Portland, Texas. This business venture showcases her adaptability and dedication, allowing her to establish a professional identity separate from her ex-husband's fame. The spa offers a variety of beauty treatments, reflecting her commitment to wellness and self-care.

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Her decision to settle in Portland, Texas, where she also operates her business, suggests a desire for a grounded life close to her roots and away from the constant scrutiny of Hollywood. This geographic and professional change allowed Vanessa to regain control over her narrative and focus on her well-being and that of her children.

Her Current Marriage to Henry Soliz and Family Life

In the years following her divorce, Vanessa Villanueva found love again. She began dating Henry Soliz in 2012, and the couple eventually married in 2018. Henry Soliz is not a public figure, which aligns with Vanessa’s post-divorce preference for a more private and stable home life. Their marriage signifies a new, happy chapter for Vanessa, providing the emotional security she sought.

The focus of her current life remains centered on her family and her business. Vanessa and Chris Perez have successfully navigated the complexities of co-parenting their two children, Cassie and Noah.

Cassie Gabrielle Pérez, born in 1998, has followed her mother's interest in the wellness field. She works in the beauty and massage industry, specifically at a Massage Envy Spa, and has gained some public attention due to her relationship with former professional mixed martial artist Mark Munoz, whom she has been dating since 2016.

Noah Pérez, the younger son, has maintained a more private life, with both parents prioritizing his privacy away from the media. The successful co-parenting dynamic between Vanessa Villanueva and Chris Perez is a testament to their dedication to their children's happiness and stability, despite their personal differences.

Topical Authority: Vanessa Villanueva's Connection to the Selena Legacy

It is impossible to discuss Vanessa Villanueva without acknowledging the context of Chris Perez’s first marriage to Selena Quintanilla. This connection is the single reason for the initial public interest in her life. The shadow of the Selena legacy was a significant, albeit indirect, factor in her divorce from Chris Perez.

The intense grief and public memory surrounding Selena's tragic death in 1995 were an ever-present element in Chris Perez's life. While Vanessa provided a new beginning and a family, the challenges of moving past such a monumental loss proved too great for their marriage to endure.

However, Vanessa Villanueva’s subsequent success as an entrepreneur and her stable second marriage to Henry Soliz demonstrate her determination to carve out a distinct identity. Her story is a powerful narrative about stepping out of the shadow of celebrity—even one as iconic as Selena’s—to find personal peace and professional fulfillment. Today, she is recognized not just as Chris Perez’s ex-wife, but as a dedicated mother, a successful businesswoman in Portland, Texas, and a private individual who values stability over fame.