Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father of Tejano legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez, has passed away at the age of 86.
SAN ANTONIO — Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father of beloved Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla-Perez, has died at age 86, his family announced Saturday.
His son, Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III, announced his death on Instagram, writing: “It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today…”
Born Feb. 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Quintanilla first made his mark in music as a member of the singing group Los Dinos in the 1950s before stepping away from performing to focus on family.
Shaping a family legacy
Quintanilla is perhaps best known for recognizing his youngest daughter Selena’s extraordinary talent and forming the family band Selena y Los Dinos. He enlisted his son A.B. on bass and daughter Suzette on drums, guiding the group through the Tejano music circuit and eventually helping launch Selena’s rise to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Under his management, Selena became one of the genre’s brightest stars, winning a Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Mexican-American Album and recording hits like “Como La Flor” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.”
Selena’s passing
The family’s journey was tragically cut short in 1995 when Selena was fatally shot at age 23 by the former president of her fan club. Quintanilla dedicated much of his life afterward to preserving her legacy, helping to establish the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi and serving as an executive producer on the 1997 biographical film Selena, in which actor Edward James Olmos portrayed him.
He was recently interviewed as part of a Netflix documentary about Selena’s life and career.
Impact on culture and beyond
For many in San Antonio — where Selena is a cultural icon and an enduring inspiration among Latino communities — Quintanilla’s death marks the passing of a central figure in the story of Tejano music. Selena’s performances in the city and her deep connection to its fans helped cement her status not just as a star but as a symbol of pride and representation.
Quintanilla is survived by his wife, Marcella Quintanilla and his children, A.B. and Suzette. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.