Biography
Yeison Orlando Jiménez Galeano was born on July 26, 1991, in Manzanares, a small town in the Caldas department of Colombia. His life story is one of sharp contrasts: early privilege followed by hardship, deep personal struggles paired with extraordinary talent, and pain transformed into powerful music. From a very young age, Yeison Jiménez showed a strong emotional connection to singing, even before he fully understood what music would mean for his future.
He was born into a family that, at the time, had financial comfort. However, behind that surface stability were serious problems. Both of his parents struggled with heavy alcohol use, and the home environment was far from peaceful. His childhood took a dramatic turn when his parents separated after his father, Orlando Jiménez, became involved with another woman and was reportedly abusive toward Yeison’s mother, Luz Mery Galeano. Fearing for her safety and that of her children, Galeano fled the family home and relocated with Yeison and his sister to Manizales.
Over time, the family’s financial situation collapsed. Yeison’s father lost his wealth, and the family was forced to rebuild life from almost nothing. These early experiences shaped Yeison deeply. The sense of loss, abandonment, and survival would later become central themes in his music. Even as a child, he used singing as a way to express emotions he could not put into words.
As a teenager, Yeison moved with his mother and sister to Bogotá in search of better opportunities. The move was difficult and unstable. The man who encouraged the relocation abandoned them shortly after they arrived. In the capital city, Yeison faced poverty, uncertainty, and exposure to dangerous environments. Yet it was also in Bogotá that his identity as a songwriter truly began to form. Music was no longer just a passion; it became a lifeline.
Age
Yeison Jiménez was born on July 26, 1991. He passed away on January 10, 2026, at the age of 34. Although his life was relatively short, his impact on Colombian música popular was profound and long-lasting. In just over three decades, he lived through experiences that many people never face in a lifetime.
His age often surprised fans because of the emotional maturity reflected in his songs. Many listeners believed his lyrics came from someone much older, shaped by decades of experience. In reality, Yeison had lived intensely from a very young age. By his early twenties, he had already faced addiction, legal trouble, illness, and emotional loss. These experiences gave his music an authenticity that resonated strongly with audiences across Colombia and beyond.
Even at 34, Yeison Jiménez was considered a veteran of his genre. He had been active in music since childhood and professionally since his teenage years. His age became a symbol of how much he achieved in such a short time, and his passing left many wondering what more he could have created if given more years.
Career
Yeison Jiménez’s career was built on persistence, honesty, and raw emotion. He began singing publicly at the age of seven, participating in local music competitions in Caldas. These early performances gave him confidence and helped him understand the power of connecting with an audience. However, his professional journey was far from smooth.
In Bogotá, Yeison worked at Corabastos, the city’s main wholesale market, while writing songs and trying to survive. During this period, he fell into drug addiction and alcoholism, struggles that had affected his family before him. His addiction became so severe that he suffered a stroke at a young age. He also became involved in criminal activities, which led to a sentence of house arrest. For many, this would have been the end of a dream. For Yeison, it became a turning point.
At 17, he made the decision to dedicate himself fully to music. He began recording and sharing his songs, drawing heavily from his personal experiences. His lyrics spoke openly about pain, betrayal, love, poverty, and survival. This honesty set him apart in the música popular genre, which traditionally focused on rural life and heartbreak but rarely with such personal intensity.
His first commercial breakthrough came in 2013 with the song “Te Deseo Lo Mejor,” released as part of the album Con El Corazón: Vol. 1. The song gained attention for its emotional depth and clear storytelling. From that point on, Yeison’s career steadily grew. Over his lifetime, he released eight albums and wrote around 70 songs, many of which became anthems for fans who saw their own lives reflected in his words.
Yeison Jiménez became one of the most important figures in modern música popular. He was widely credited with helping to revive and modernize the genre, bringing it to younger audiences while keeping its emotional roots intact. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first música popular artist to sell out the Movistar Arena in Bogotá as a solo act. This achievement marked a turning point for the genre and proved its place on Colombia’s biggest stages.
In 2021, Yeison also appeared as a jury member on the popular television music competition Yo Me Llamo, further cementing his status as a respected voice in Colombian music. Despite his fame, he remained closely connected to his audience, often speaking openly about his past struggles and encouraging others to seek change and hope.
Personal Life
Yeison Jiménez’s personal life was deeply intertwined with his music. He never tried to present himself as perfect. Instead, he openly shared his flaws, mistakes, and battles. His struggles with addiction, crime, and health were not hidden chapters but central parts of his story.
Family played a complex role in his life. His relationship with his parents was marked by pain and distance, especially with his father. However, his bond with his mother, Luz Mery Galeano, remained strong. She was a constant presence during his hardest years and a source of strength as he rebuilt his life.
Yeison often spoke about redemption and personal growth. After surviving addiction and legal troubles, he worked to change his life and use his story as a warning and inspiration to others. He understood the streets, poverty, and despair because he had lived them. This understanding gave him credibility and made fans feel that he was “one of them,” not a distant celebrity.
While Yeison kept many details of his romantic relationships private, his songs revealed a man deeply affected by love and loss. His lyrics suggested intense emotional connections, heartbreak, and longing. Rather than separating his personal life from his art, he allowed the two to blend, creating music that felt honest and lived-in.
Cause of Death
Yeison Jiménez died on January 10, 2026, in Paipa, Boyacá, Colombia, at the age of 34. His death occurred as a result of a tragic plane crash involving a Piper PA-31 Navajo aircraft. The crash claimed the lives of Yeison and five other individuals.
The news of his death shocked Colombia and the Latin American music community. Fans, fellow artists, and media outlets reacted with disbelief and grief. Many described his passing as the loss of a voice that spoke for the broken, the struggling, and the hopeful. Tributes poured in across social media, concerts, and radio stations, celebrating his life and music.
His death marked a heartbreaking end to a career that was still reaching new heights. At the time of his passing, Yeison Jiménez was considered one of the most influential artists in his genre, with plans and potential that extended far into the future.
Conclusion
Yeison Jiménez’s life was a powerful story of survival, talent, and truth. From a troubled childhood in Caldas to sold-out arenas in Bogotá, his journey showed what determination and honesty can achieve. He turned pain into poetry and struggle into soundtracks for millions of people. Although his life ended too soon, his music continues to live on, carrying his voice, his story, and his spirit forward. Yeison Jiménez will be remembered not only as a singer but as a symbol of resilience and transformation.
FAQs
Who was Yeison Jiménez?
Yeison Jiménez was a Colombian singer-songwriter known for his impact on música popular and his deeply personal lyrics.
How old was Yeison Jiménez when he died?
He was 34 years old at the time of his death in January 2026.
What was Yeison Jiménez famous for?
He was famous for revitalizing música popular, releasing eight albums, and becoming the first artist of the genre to sell out the Movistar Arena in Bogotá.
What caused Yeison Jiménez’s death?
He died in a plane crash in Paipa, Boyacá, Colombia, on January 10, 2026.
How many songs did Yeison Jiménez write?
He wrote approximately 70 songs during his lifetime.
Peter Charles is a journalist and writer who covers battery-material recycling, urban mining, and the growing use of microreactors in industry. With 10 years of experience in industrial reporting, he explains new technologies and industry changes in clear, simple terms. He holds both a BSc and an MSc in Electrical Engineering, which gives him the technical knowledge to report accurately and insightfully on these topics.
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