The Latin music world is mourning the loss of Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father and longtime manager of Tejano legend Selena Quintanilla, who died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 86. News of his passing was shared publicly by his son, Grammy-winning producer A.B. Quintanilla III, in a heartfelt social media post. As of Sunday, the family had not disclosed an official cause of death.
The announcement sparked an immediate outpouring of tributes from fans, musicians, and cultural figures across the globe, many of whom credited Abraham Quintanilla Jr. as a pivotal architect behind one of the most influential careers in Latin music history. While Selena became an icon in her own right, many acknowledged that her father’s determination, vision, and relentless advocacy helped open doors in an industry that once offered limited opportunities for Latino and female artists.
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. developed his passion for music at an early age. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he found success as a member of the vocal group Los Dinos, gaining valuable experience as a performer and recording artist. Though his own musical career did not reach mainstream stardom, it provided him with a deep understanding of the industry—knowledge he would later use to guide his children.
That experience proved critical when he formed Selena y Los Dinos, the family band that featured Selena as the lead vocalist alongside her siblings A.B. and Suzette. As manager, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. took on a hands-on and often demanding role, booking shows, negotiating contracts, and pushing relentlessly for recognition in a male-dominated Tejano music scene. While his management style was sometimes described as strict, family members and collaborators have long said it stemmed from a desire to protect his children and ensure they were treated fairly.
Under his guidance, Selena rose from performing at local events and festivals to becoming the undisputed “Queen of Tejano music,” breaking records, winning major awards, and crossing over into mainstream success before her life was tragically cut short in 1995.
After Selena’s murder, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. became the principal steward of her legacy. Amid profound personal grief, he worked to preserve her music, image, and story, overseeing posthumous releases and supporting major projects such as the 1997 biographical film Selena and later productions that introduced her story to new generations worldwide. His efforts ensured that Selena’s influence continued to grow long after her death.
In an emotional tribute, A.B. Quintanilla III reflected on losing his father, noting the painful coincidence that Abraham passed away on A.B.’s birthday. He described his father as a source of constant guidance and strength, whose absence leaves a deep and lasting void.
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. is survived by his wife, Marcella Quintanilla, and their children, A.B. Quintanilla III and Suzette Quintanilla. He is remembered as a devoted husband and father, a fiercely protective manager, and a central figure in Latin music whose life’s work helped shape one of the most enduring legacies in modern music history.