Selena’s Father, Latin Music Icon, Passes Away at 86

Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the influential father of Tejano music icon Selena, has recently passed away at the age of 86. His son, A.B. Quintanilla III, revealed the news via Instagram, expressing his grief over the loss.

Legacy of Abraham Quintanilla Jr.

Born on February 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Abraham was raised in a Mexican American family. He began his musical journey as a teenager, joining the vocal group the Dinos in 1956. His experience during this time would later inform his management of his daughter’s career.

Formation of Selena y Los Dinos

Recognizing the extraordinary talent of his daughter Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, he established the family band Selena y Los Dinos, which included his other children, A.B. and Suzette Quintanilla. As the band’s manager, Abraham played a crucial role in shaping their public image and securing performance opportunities.

• By the late 1980s, Selena y Los Dinos had dominated the Tejano music scene.
• Abraham’s guidance facilitated Selena’s crossover success into mainstream Latin music.

Impact of Selena’s Tragic Death

Abraham’s life forever changed on March 31, 1995, when Selena was murdered by Yolanda Saldívar, her former fan club president. Following this tragedy, Abraham became the foremost custodian of Selena’s legacy, overseeing numerous projects that celebrated her life and work.

Contributions to Selena’s Legacy

He served as an executive producer for the well-known 1997 biographical film “Selena,” which starred Jennifer Lopez. His involvement extended to various albums, documentaries, and tribute projects. Most recently, in 2020, Abraham was portrayed by Ricardo Chavira in the Netflix miniseries “Selena: The Series.”

In November 2023, Netflix released a documentary titled “Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy,” offering an intimate view of Selena’s journey with her family band through previously unseen home videos.

Philanthropic Efforts and Continuing Influence

In the wake of Selena’s death, Abraham founded the Selena Foundation, aimed at supporting children in crisis. He also continued to discover and promote emerging talents in music and film through his company, Q-Productions.

In 2021, he shared his experiences in the memoir “A Father’s Dream: My Family’s Journey in Music.” While Abraham Quintanilla was occasionally seen as a controversial figure, his role as a pivotal force in Selena’s career and a staunch advocate for her legacy cannot be overstated.