José Roberto Pulido Jr., known professionally as Bobby Pulido, was born April 25, 1973, in Edinburg, Texas. He is the son of renowned Tejano musician Roberto Pulido and Diana Montes, daughter of norteño musician Mario Montes of Los Donneños. He grew up surrounded by music and culture in the Rio Grande Valley. He attended Edinburg High School, where he was in the school's mariachi ensemble, and later attended St. Mary's University where he pursued a degree in political science before deciding to pursue music full-time. In 1995, at age 21, he signed a recording contract with EMI Latin and released his debut album 'Desvelado,' which became platinum and established him as a major Tejano music star. Over nearly 30 years, he released more than a dozen albums, won multiple Tejano Music Awards (Male Entertainer of the Year three times), earned Latin Grammy nominations and awards, appeared in telenovelas, and became one of the most influential Tejano musicians among Mexican-American youth. In November 2024, he announced his retirement from music to pursue a political career. He married Eliza Anzaldua in 1996 (divorced 2013) and later married Mariana Morales in 2018. He is the father of four sons and lives in Edinburg, Texas. In September 2025, he announced his campaign for Congress.
Bobby Pulido was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, the son of farmworker-turned-musician Roberto Pulido and Diana Montes (daughter of norteño musician Mario Montes of Los Donneños). He grew up surrounded by music and Tejano culture in the Rio Grande Valley. He played saxophone in Edinburg High School's mariachi ensemble and performed as a saxophonist and backup vocalist with his father's band, Los Clásicos. He attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio where he pursued a degree in political science, but signed a recording contract with EMI Latin in 1995 and launched his music career instead. Over 30+ years as a Tejano musician, he became one of the genre's most influential artists, won multiple awards, earned Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, and released dozens of albums and recordings. He also ventured into acting, appearing in telenovelas and variety shows. Beyond the stage, Pulido built a life as a small business owner, navigating payroll, budgets, and business challenges typical to South Texas entrepreneurs. He is the father of four sons and lives in Edinburg with his wife. He has emphasized that his long career was built on listening to people, telling their stories, and building bridges across communities—skills he now brings to his political campaign.