How famous was Selena...

...before she died? Was she well known throughout the nation/world? I had never heard of her before her death. I remember my mother telling me that Selena had died and I ask, "Who?" I have heard some people say that the only reason she is well known today is because her father and brother have exploited her death in order to make money and use the guise of keeping her memory alive as a way to accomplish this. Is this true? This is not my opinion, I am only stating what I have heard.