Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s death remains one of music’s most heartbreaking tragedies. The rising Tejano star was on the verge of major crossover fame when she was fatally shot by Yolanda Saldivar, the head of her fan club, outside a Texas hotel.
Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, became a well-known figure to fans as he worked tirelessly to preserve her legacy. Now, his son A.B. Quintanilla III has confirmed in a December 13 Instagram post that Abraham has passed away.
“It’s with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today…” he wrote. No cause of death was shared, but Abraham was 86.
Selena inherited much of her musical talent from her father, who helped guide her rise to fame and later protected her legacy fiercely.
He “was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and gained recognition in 1956 for his group, the Dinos,” according to KSAT-TV. He later founded Selena’s band, Selena y Los Dinos.
Quintanilla “was instrumental in launching Selena’s career, managing her early performances and helping build the family band that would take her to international fame,” KSAT-TV reported.
When Selena was murdered in 1995, her father became a “fierce guardian of her legacy,” per KSAT-TV. The group had been a true family affair, with Selena’s sister Suzette and her brother also part of the band.
As for Selena’s death, she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, who managed her clothing boutiques. According to People, Saldivar “fatally shot Selena in the back following an intense confrontation over financial discrepancies.”
Saldivar remains in prison and has pursued parole multiple times, but she was denied release in March 2025, People reported.
