Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the padre de selena quintanilla, has died at age 86, according to a family announcement shared on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The update was made public by his son, music producer Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III. The family did not disclose a cause of death.
For generations of fans, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was more than a parent. He was a defining architect behind Selena’s early rise, a hands-on manager during the family’s touring years, and a central figure in protecting her legacy after her death in 1995.
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Family announcement shared Saturday
On December 13, 2025, A.B. Quintanilla III shared that his father had passed away. The message prompted an immediate outpouring of condolences from fans who have followed the Quintanilla family’s story for decades.
As of today, the family has not publicly released additional details about funeral arrangements or memorial plans.
A key force behind Selena y Los Dinos
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. helped shape Selena’s career from the earliest days, building a performance path that took the family from local shows to major stages. He managed and guided Selena y Los Dinos, the family band that included Selena’s siblings: A.B. on bass and Suzette on drums.
That years-long grind—rehearsals, travel, and nonstop live dates—helped Selena become a standout performer long before mainstream America knew her name.
His own music roots helped set the direction
Before Selena became a star, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. had music in his own background. He performed as part of Los Dinos in earlier years and recognized Selena’s talent when she was still very young.
That combination—experience and belief—became a foundation for the family’s approach: discipline, tight musicianship, and a clear identity that connected with Tejano audiences across Texas and beyond.
Family life and the people closest to him
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was married to Marcella Quintanilla, and together they raised three children: Selena, A.B., and Suzette. In the world Selena created, fans came to know the Quintanillas not as distant celebrity relatives, but as a close-knit family whose work and sacrifice played out in public view.
His death arrives nearly three decades after Selena was killed at age 23 in 1995—an event that reshaped the family’s life and made preserving her story a lifelong mission.
Protecting Selena’s legacy after 1995
After Selena’s death, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. remained a prominent figure in efforts tied to Selena’s legacy, including projects and public remembrances that kept her music and cultural impact present for new listeners.
In recent years, Selena’s story has continued to reach broader audiences through major screen projects and ongoing tributes, keeping interest high among longtime fans and first-time listeners alike.
Why his passing matters to fans today
To many, the padre de selena quintanilla represented the complicated, deeply human side of a superstar’s origin story: a parent who pushed hard, protected fiercely, and helped build a path that changed Tejano music history.
His death closes a significant chapter in the Selena narrative—one that began in Texas family venues, grew into international stardom, and continued through decades of remembrance.
What is confirmed as of today
- Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. died on December 13, 2025.
- He was 86 years old.
- The family announcement was shared publicly by his son, A.B. Quintanilla III.
- No cause of death has been publicly provided as of today.