CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the determined patriarch and music manager who steered his daughter Selena Quintanilla to international superstardom, has died. He was 86.
His son, A.B. Quintanilla III, confirmed the news on Saturday, December 13, through a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photo of his father accompanied by the song “Cien Años” by Pedro Infante. “It is with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today,” he wrote. No specific cause of death has been disclosed at this time.
The Architect of a Legacy
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Abraham was a musician in his own right, originally performing with the doo-wop group Los Dinos in the late 1950s and 60s. However, he found his greatest success as the manager and producer of Selena y Los Dinos, the family band he formed with his children—Selena on vocals, A.B. on bass, and Suzette on drums.
Under his strict but visionary guidance, the group transformed the landscape of Tejano music. He was instrumental in navigating a male-dominated industry, eventually helping Selena cross over into the mainstream market before her tragic death in 1995.
A Life Dedicated to Family
In the decades following Selena’s passing, Abraham remained a steadfast guardian of her legacy, overseeing the museum dedicated to her memory and producing various projects, including the 1997 biopic Selena starring Jennifer Lopez.
He is survived by his wife, Marcella Quintanilla, and his two children, A.B. and Suzette. Tributes have already begun to flood social media, honoring a man whose ambition and love for his family introduced the world to one of its most cherished musical icons.
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