Why does Linda Ronstadt say she is Mexican?

Yes By blood, but she is not a Mexican citizen. Linda is an natural-born American citizen with a blood line that is in part directly from Mexico on her fathers side of the family. Linda is of European and Mexican descent. 87½% European, and 12½% Mexican.

Linda's Father was 25% Mexican descent, Linda's Mother is completely of European descent, German, English, and Dutch. Which makes Linda 1/8 or 12½% Mexican.

The New York Times, Dec 06, 1987

By Stephen Holden

"Linda Ronstadt once lamented half-jokingly that she sang like a German and thought like a Mexican and wished it were the other way around".