Donna Ludwig, ex-boyfriend Ritchie Valens, passed at the age of 17 in an unfortunate plane crash in 1959.
He was a rising star in his youth, who was born in 1941. You’re probably familiar with his classic hit “La Bamba,” which he released when he was just 17 years old in 1958.
Donna Ludwig, late boyfriend Ritchie Valens, was a rising star in his youth, who was born in 1941.
You’re probably familiar with his classic hit “La Bamba,” which he released when he was just 17 years old in 1958.
Originally from Pacoima, a district in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, he initially played guitar for a group called The Silhouettes.
However, he quickly became their lead singer after the previous one quit. At that time, he was known as Ritchie Valenzuela.
Bob Keane, an executive from the Del-Fi record label, discovered Ritchie in 1958 and suggested changing his last name to increase his radio appeal.
Despite the controversial nature of this decision, Ritchie’s career skyrocketed.
He became recognized for his chart-topping hits such as “La Bamba,” “Come On, Let’s Go,” and the heartwarming tribute to his high school sweetheart, “Donna.”
You may also read: Why Does Chrissy Teigen Sister, Tina, Keep Her Life Private?
Whatever happened between Ritchie Valens and Donna?
The 1987 biopic La Bamba portrayed the relationship between Ritchie and Ludwig during their high school years.
However, Donna Ludwig Fox-Coots, the real-life inspiration for the character, revealed in an interview that the movie version of her character was not entirely accurate.
According to her, the film portrayed her as more reserved than she was.
In reality, she was a strong-willed and independent woman who was drawn to Ritchie despite disapproval from her father due to the racial barrier between them.
Donna Ludwig is white, and Ritchie was Latino, which was more prevalent during the 1950s.
According to some reports, Ludwig used to sneak out of her bedroom through the window in order to meet Valens at popular hangouts spots in San Fernando like Bob’s Big Boy or Rainbow Roller Rink.
Ludwig first heard the song “Donna” when Ritchie called her and revealed that he had written it for her, and he even sang the song’s opening lines to her.
In another interview, she shared that she was filled to tears upon hearing the music, as it was a heartfelt gesture from Ritchie that he had kept a surprise.
She said, “I was attracted to him because he was such a nice man, er…I mean, because he was a nice boy. He didn’t swear. He didn’t get drunk.”
After leaving high school to pursue his music career, they mutually agreed to maintain an open relationship.
They would frequently date eachother whenever he was back in town. Ludwig even mentioned that he hinted at the possibility of marriage in the future.
Sadly, Donna Ludwig never had the chance to date him again. On February 2, 1959, Ritchie died in a plane crash, along with J.P. and Buddy Holly, ‘The Big Bopper.’
In due time, it was learned that Ritchie had a terrific fear of flying after eye witnessing two planes collide in his childhood.
Ludwig mentioned that she was only 16 when Ritchie died.
She further explained that going back to school after his death was not easy for her. She was devastated and cried all the time, and everyone pointed their finger at her.
When people asked Ludwig if Ritchie was the “love of her life,” she couldn’t say for sure. She was only 15 at the time, and although she cared about him a lot, her family came first.
Unfortunately, Ludwig and her father had a disagreement when he suggested she record “Lost Without You” and “Now That You’re Gone” to catch profit from Ritchie’s passing.
This disagreement caused a rift between them that Ludwig has yet to forgive.
According to the latest update in 2020, Ludwig was living in a remote community near Sacramento with her third husband and two daughters.
Who inherited the Ritchie Valens estate after his unfortunate death?
In the wintertime of 1959, Richie was heading toward the Midwest on a rock and roll tour called ‘The Winter Dance Party.’
The journey conditions were pathetic, with performers driven between venues on cold school buses in the badly cold climate. Even one singer was apparently hospitalized for frostbite.
Despite the harsh weather conditions, the artists strived through their overnight trips to maintain their schedules.
Buddy Holly proposed securing an aircraft to guarantee their timely arrival for the next performance in Fargo, North Dakota.
On the flight, Richie resolved the allocation of the final seat with J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson by means of a coin toss.
The plane crashed in Ohio in 1959. However, the exact cause of the crash was still unknown.
On December 2 of the same year, it was speculated that the might plane crashed due to pilot error, inclement weather conditions, cockpit instrumental, or mechanical failure.
Jerry Dwyer, the aircraft owner, faced a lawsuit for $1.5M filed by Richie’s mother. Nevertheless, his insurance company resolved the matter by settling for $75K.
Although Richie was only 17 and therefore not able to execute a Will or sign other legal documents, his mother should have had control over his music as the heir to his estate.
However, it appears that Bob Keane retained the majority of the music rights under the contract that Richie signed, despite the fact that Richie may not have read the agreement or that the contract may have been void due to his minor status.
Unfortunately, this is a common issue that many young artists face.
Keane’s business partner advised Richie’s mother to sign a contract to secure compensation in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.
As a result, she obtained a life insurance policy for her son.
How much was Ritchie Valens worth when he died?
Ritchie Valens, a renowned American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, played a crucial role in the early development of rock and roll and Chicano rock.
His net worth at the time of his unfortunate demise in 1959 was an impressive $500K, equivalent to a significantly higher amount when adjusted for inflation.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7t7XZmpqaZpOkunC%2BxJqjZpyfo7uiecuum7Chl2Q%3D