Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father of famed Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, has died at the age of 84. His passing was confirmed by his family via an emotional post on Instagram, which stated, “It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today…” The post was shared by his son, Abraham Quintanilla III, alongside a photo of his father. As of now, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Quintanilla is survived by his son, Abraham III, his daughter Suzette Quintanilla, and his wife Marcella Samora, whom he married in 1963. The patriarch of the Quintanilla family was not only a singer and songwriter but also a pivotal record producer who founded the band Selena y Los Dinos. He played a crucial role in managing Selena’s career until her tragic death in 1995.
Legacy and Continued Influence
Selena Quintanilla was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldívar, a former manager of her fan club. Saldívar is currently serving a life sentence and was recently denied parole. Following this decision, the Quintanilla family, along with Selena’s husband Chris Perez, expressed their sentiments in a statement, emphasizing that while nothing can bring Selena back, “this decision reaffirms that justice continues to stand for the beautiful life that was taken from us and from millions of fans around the world far too soon.”
Following Selena’s death, Abraham Quintanilla remained actively involved in various projects that honored his daughter’s memory. He co-produced a biopic released in 1997, which starred Jennifer Lopez as Selena. In this film, Quintanilla was portrayed by actor Edward James Olmos. His contributions extended beyond entertainment, as he played a significant role in the establishment of the Selena Foundation, created to utilize donations received after Selena’s passing.
Documentary and Family Insights
Recently, the Quintanilla family shared their insights on Selena’s enduring legacy through a new Netflix documentary titled “Selena Y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy.” This film, executive-produced by the surviving Quintanilla siblings, features previously unseen footage from Selena’s career and includes an interview with Marcella Samora. This marked the first time she openly discussed her daughter’s death, offering fans a deeper understanding of their family’s journey.
On November 3, 2017, Abraham Quintanilla was present at a ceremony honoring his daughter with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. This event highlighted Selena’s impact on the music industry and her lasting influence on fans worldwide. The legacy of Abraham Quintanilla is now intertwined with that of his daughter, as both continue to inspire and resonate with audiences across generations.
