Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father, manager, and steadfast protector of the legacy of the late “Queen of Tejano Music,” Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has died. He passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 86. The news was shared by his son, Abraham Quintanilla III, on Instagram, stating, “It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today…” The cause of death has not been released.
Quintanilla Jr., himself a singer and record producer who was part of the band Los Dinos in the 1950s, was the driving force behind the formation and management of Selena y Los Dinos, the family band that launched Selena’s unforgettable career.
Protecting Selena’s Legacy
After Selena was tragically murdered by her fan club president in 1995 at the age of 23, Abraham Quintanilla devoted himself to safeguarding her image and music. He remained the spokesperson for the family and was crucial in ensuring her legacy continued to grow.
His efforts to preserve her memory include:
- Posthumous Releases: Overseeing the release of new music and compilation albums.
- Biopic and Documentaries: He served as an executive producer for the successful 1997 biographical film Selena, where he was portrayed by Edward James Olmos, and remained involved in recent projects like the Netflix documentary series Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy.
- The Selena Museum: He helped create the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas, to allow fans to learn about her life and career.
The Conflict Over Chris Pérez
Central to the family’s narrative was Abraham’s intense disapproval of Selena’s relationship with the band’s lead guitarist, Chris Pérez.
- The Hiring: Pérez was initially hired by Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, in 1990. Pérez noted that he quickly developed feelings for the singer, thinking she was “beautiful and talented.”
- Secret Romance: The two began dating in secret during a Coca-Cola-sponsored trip to Acapulco, as they knew Abraham Quintanilla would strongly disapprove. Pérez wrote in his 2013 memoir, To Selena, with Love, that during this trip, Selena was “truly free to be herself.”
- The Firing and Elopement: The secret relationship did not last long; Abraham eventually discovered the romance. Despite Selena’s pleas, he immediately kicked Chris Pérez out of the band. However, the young couple was determined to be together and eloped on April 2, 1992. After their marriage, Pérez was allowed to rejoin the group.
Reflecting on their decision to marry in secret on what would have been their 25th wedding anniversary in 2017, Chris Pérez wrote, “It’s hard to believe that today marks 25 years since Selena and I decided that the only way to be together…was to run away and get married (at 20 and 22 years old) in secret.”
Abraham Quintanilla Jr. is survived by his wife, Marcella, his son, A.B. Quintanilla III, and his daughter, Suzette Quintanilla.