Born in the Michoacan town of San Juan Huetamo in 1923, Amalia was part of a family of noted musicians. Three brothers, Norberto, Eligio and Juan, performed as the Trio Tariacuri - a word the Purepecha Indians used for their king. Amalia joined her sister Perla in a duo known as Las Taricuristas.

She began her solo career in 1954 with her recording of Puñalada Trapera ("Backstab") and gained fame later that year when she began broadcasting over Mexico's leading radio station, XEW.

Amalia became known as "La Tariacuri" and was one of the first women to become successful in the genre of mariachi music . Her career spanned more than 30 years and included 36 albums.

She became famous for songs such as Echame a mi la Culpa and Amarga Navidad. "I cry when I sing because I have known sadness in my life," she said in 1985. "I live what I sing. I tell a story, and I become that person in it."

Her last memorable album was "Las Tres Senoras", made in 1996 with Lola Beltran and Lucha Villa.

Amalia died on June 11, 2001 of a progressive lung disease.