Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., the father of late Tejano icon Selena Quintanilla, has died at the age of 86.
The news was shared by his son, Abraham “A.B.” Isaac Quintanilla III, in an Instagram post on Saturday, Dec. 13.
“It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today,” A.B. wrote in the caption. Alongside the message, A.B. posted a photo of his father, setting it to Pedro Infante’s song “Cien Años.”
The Quintanilla family released a statement the following day addressing Abraham’s passing. “The Quintanilla family announces with deep sadness the passing of Abraham Quintanilla, beloved husband, father, and patriarch of the Quintanilla family, who passed away Saturday morning,” the statement read on Instagram.
“Abraham was a devoted family man whose life was marked by faith, discipline, and steadfast love. He was a guiding presence within his family and worked tirelessly to protect, provide for, and lead with integrity,” the family continued. “As the father and manager of Selena and Los Dinos, Abraham played an essential role in developing his children's talents and helping share their music with the world. Throughout his life, he remained committed to honoring Selena's legacy with care, responsibility, and deep respect.”
They added, “The family is grateful for the many expressions of kindness, prayers, and support they have received and respectfully asks for privacy as they grieve and reflect during this time.”
Abraham was married to Marcella Quintanilla, and together they raised three children: A.B., Suzette Quintanilla, and Selena. Selena was tragically killed in March 1995 by her former fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar. She was 23.
Abraham managed Selena y Los Dinos, the family band that included A.B. on bass, Suzette on drums and Selena’s husband, Chris Pérez, on guitar. Prior to Selena’s rise to fame, Abraham himself performed in a band also called Los Dinos.
In March 2020, A.B. told People that his father’s background as a musician allowed him to recognize Selena’s extraordinary ability early on. “There are a lot of families who think, 'My kids are talented, they sing, they're awesome,' but my dad, as a musician, saw something that we didn't,” he said.