He was born in Altamira, Tamaulipas and was raised in Santiago Tulyehualco, Xochimilco, Mexico City. His father, José del Refugio Sánchez, was from Puebla. His mother, Felipa Saldaña Cabello, was from Santiago Tulyehualco.
Grandson of Adelaido Saldaña Flores and María Cabello Jiménez.