Abraham Quintanilla Jr., Father of Tejano Icon Selena, Dies at 86
Abraham Quintanilla Jr., father of the acclaimed Tejano singer Selena, passed away at the age of 86. His son, Abraham “A.B.” Quintanilla III, confirmed the news on Saturday through an emotional Instagram post.
A.B. expressed his profound grief, stating, “Today I feel my heart is shattered in a million pieces.” He did not disclose the cause of his father’s death but reflected on the difficulties of sharing such tragic news on his birthday.
Legacy of Abraham Quintanilla Jr.
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was a pivotal figure in the music industry. He significantly influenced Selena’s rise to international fame, helping to popularize Tejano music beyond its traditional boundaries. After Selena’s tragic murder in 1995, he committed to maintaining her legacy.
A.B. noted the ongoing pain of losing his sister, saying, “Losing Selena 30 years ago is still a daily struggle for me. But losing my dad hits differently.” He also mentioned the heartache his mother faces, having lost both a child and a spouse.
Early Life and Career
- Born: 1939 in Corpus Christi, Texas
- Heritage: Second-generation Mexican American
- Career Start: Dropped out of high school to join the band Los Dinos
- Military Service: Served in the Army
- Marriage: Married Marcella Samora in 1963
Quintanilla also took on roles as an executive producer. He was featured in the 1997 biopic “Selena,” where he was played by Edward James Olmos, and was portrayed by Ricardo Chavira in the Netflix series “Selena: The Series.”
Continued Contributions
In his later years, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. actively managed Q-Productions, a Latin music company. He also oversaw the Selena Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children.
A.B. celebrated his father’s remarkable contributions, saying, “My dad truly was a genius and I will miss him tremendously.” The loss of a father and a musical pioneer resonates deeply with the family and fans alike.
