Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., the father and longtime manager of beloved Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has died at the age of 86, his family announced Saturday. The news was shared by his son, Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III, in an emotional Instagram post.
“It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today,” A.B. wrote, sharing a photo of his father set to the classic song Cien Años by Pedro Infante. The family has not disclosed an official cause of death.
A Life in Music and Family
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on February 22, 1939, Abraham Quintanilla was a musician, songwriter, producer and pivotal figure in Latin music. Early in his career he performed with groups including Los Dinos, gaining experience that later helped him guide his children’s musical ambitions.
Recognizing his daughter Selena’s extraordinary talent at a young age, he formed the family band Selena y Los Dinos, with Selena as the lead singer and siblings A.B. and Suzette also performing. Under his management, the group rose through the Tejano music ranks in the 1980s, laying the foundation for Selena’s crossover success and global impact.
Impact and Legacy
Selena became one of the most celebrated Latin artists of her generation, earning a Grammy Award in 1994 and captivating audiences with hits like Como la Flor and Amor Prohibido. Her life and career were tragically cut short in 1995 when she was murdered at age 23 by a former fan club president.
In the years following that loss, Abraham Quintanilla devoted himself to preserving Selena’s legacy. He oversaw the establishment of the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, participated in film and television portrayals of her life including Selena: The Series and the recent Netflix documentary Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy, and helped manage posthumous releases of her music.
Family and Survivors
Quintanilla is survived by his wife, Marcella, and his children A.B. and Suzette, who along with fans around the world have shared condolences and memories following the announcement. His impact on Latin music and his role in shaping Selena’s remarkable career are widely acknowledged by fans and industry figures alike.
As tributes continue across social media and in cultural communities, many are remembering both the man and the musical legacy he helped build — one that forever changed Latin music and inspired generations of artists and fans.
