Abraham Quintanilla Jr., father and early manager of Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla, died on December 13, 2025, his son A.B. Quintanilla III announced on social media.
The family has not disclosed a cause of death.
This article explains the immediate facts, Abraham’s role in Selena’s rise, how A.B. and the family have stewarded her legacy, and what fans can expect next from memorials and official tributes.
All statements below are drawn from contemporaneous family posts and reporting; we clearly mark confirmed facts and avoid speculation.
Quick factual summary you can rely on
A.B. Quintanilla III posted the family announcement on Instagram saying, “It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today.”
Multiple outlets confirmed Abraham Quintanilla Jr.’s death; no official cause of death has been released.
Selena’s father was 86 (reports vary between 85–86 as outlets confirm birth-date details) and had long been a public figure for his role managing Selena y Los Dinos.
Officials, family representatives and major news outlets are expected to share funeral and memorial details as the family finalises arrangements.
Who was Abraham “Ab” Quintanilla Jr. — short biography
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. began in music with the family band Los Dinos before guiding Selena’s early career as manager and mentor.
He recognised Selena’s talent early and steered the group through regional Tejano scenes to mainstream success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
After Selena’s murder in 1995, Abraham became the family’s chief advocate in preserving her legacy, participating in documentaries, series projects and foundation work.
His stewardship included approving projects like Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy and other media that recounted the family’s story.
Abraham’s role in Selena’s career and legacy
Ab helped move Selena from family performances to regional stardom, booking shows, overseeing recordings and pushing for crossover opportunities.
His industry experience and conviction about Selena’s talent were pivotal in shaping the trajectory that led to a Grammy and international recognition.
In the decades after 1995 he worked to centralise family archives, approved biographical projects and supported educational and cultural initiatives in Selena’s name.
That sustained effort is a major reason Selena remains a cross-generational icon and a cultural touchstone in Latino and mainstream U.S. music history.
How A.B. Quintanilla and Suzette have continued the family work
Abraham’s children — notably A.B. (producer/bassist) and Suzette (drummer and executor of the estate) — have been public pillars in preserving Selena’s catalogue and story.
A.B.’s Instagram post announcing his father’s death demonstrates the family’s continued use of direct channels to speak to fans and steward public memory.
Their recent participation in documentary projects and curated releases shows an effort to present the family’s perspective on Selena’s life and career.
Industry and fans frequently cite the family’s hands-on role as key to maintaining authenticity in how Selena’s story is told.
Immediate reactions and tributes
Tributes are already arriving from fans, fellow artists and cultural institutions recognising both Selena’s enduring influence and Abraham’s role behind the scenes.
Expect official tributes from music organisations and Latino cultural groups in the coming days; outlets typically report memorial plans once the family releases details.
Social-media condolences and archival clips of Selena performances will circulate widely, as they did around previous anniversaries and documentary releases.
Those digital memorials are an important part of collective mourning for a fan community that spans generations and geographies.
What this means for the Selena estate and future projects
With Abraham’s passing, A.B. and Suzette will continue their roles overseeing the estate and approving future projects, releases or commemorations.
The family’s prior involvement in Netflix and other productions suggests they will keep controlling the narrative and archival access.
Fans should expect coordinated official statements, possible commemorative releases, and museum or community tributes that celebrate both Abraham’s and Selena’s contributions.
The timing and form of those events will respect family privacy while offering public opportunities to remember.
Common questions — clear answers
Q: Has a cause of death been released?
A: Not yet. The family confirmed the passing but has not disclosed the cause.
Q: Will there be public memorials?
A: The family will announce funeral or memorial plans when ready; national tributes often follow such announcements.
Q: Who controls Selena’s music and image now?
A: The estate, managed by family members — notably Suzette and A.B. — continues to oversee licenses and projects.
How fans can honour the family and Selena’s memory responsibly
Respect the family’s requests for privacy while official arrangements are made; follow verified family channels for accurate updates.
Consider commemorating Selena by playing her music, supporting Latino arts organisations, or sharing a favourite memory with respectful context.
Avoid amplifying unverified rumours about private matters; rely on the family’s public statements and reputable outlets for confirmed facts.
Responsible fan behaviour helps keep attention on the artist’s legacy rather than on speculation about private grief.
Which Selena song best captures her legacy for you?
Sources and verification
This story is based on the family announcement shared by A.B. Quintanilla III and reporting from People, The Austin American-Statesman, The Dallas Morning News and other major outlets covering the family statement and Abraham’s role in Selena’s career.
Disclaimer: This article summarises verified reporting current as of the publish time and is intended to inform readers about family and legacy matters.
It is not a replacement for official family statements; please follow the Quintanilla family’s verified channels for funeral details and confirmed updates.