 Juanga's parents were farmers in Parácuaro, Michoacán, in west central Mexico. When Juan Gabriel was still a baby, his father lost touch with reality and was taken to a mental institution. Alone, Juanga's mom migrated north with her six children, Juanga still in diapers. He talked about it to the Mexican TV host Pati Chapoy in 1985, saying his mom had no choice but to move north.