On Saturday, the music world lost a pivotal figure as Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., the father of Tejano icon Selena, passed away at the age of 86. His death comes at a time when the legacy of his daughter is being revisited, as the 30th anniversary of Selena’s tragic death falls on Monday, March 31, 2025. The anniversary has drawn fans to her monument in Corpus Christi, where the singer grew up and first rose to fame. Telemundo Digital reports that Quintanilla’s passing was confirmed by his son, A.B. Quintanilla, through an Instagram post.\n\n## Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr.: A Life in Music\n\n”Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., father of Selena, died Saturday at the age of 86,” the article states, citing several sources including his son’s social‑media announcement. The obituary notes that Quintanilla’s career began in 1956 when he joined the vocal group Los Dinos. “He began his musical career as a member of the vocal group Los Dinos in 1956,” the piece records. After recognizing his daughter’s talent, he formed Selena y Los Dinos with Selena and her two older siblings, “to develop her artistic potential.”\n\n## Selena’s Tragic End and the 30th Anniversary\n\nSelena was murdered at 23 on March 31, 1995 by her own manager, Yolanda Saldívar, who is serving a prison sentence for the crime. The article recalls that the 30th anniversary of Selena’s death falls on Monday, March 31, 2025, a day that has drawn mourners to Corpus Christi’s monument. “Many have come to pay their respects to her monument in Corpus Christi, the city where the Tejano singer grew up and reached fame,” the report notes.\n\n## From Los Dinos to Selena y Los Dinos\n\nQuintanilla’s early involvement with Los Dinos laid the groundwork for his later ventures. “After discovering Selena’s vocal talent, he created the band Selena y Los Dinos, made up of Selena and her two older siblings,” the article says. The new group served as a platform for Selena’s growing career and helped establish the family’s presence in the Tejano music scene.\n\n## The Rise of Selena: Tejano Stardom\n\nUnder Quintanilla’s leadership, the group achieved great success in Tejano music in the late 1980s, which allowed Selena to launch a solo career and become one of the most acclaimed Latin music artists of all time. “Under his leadership, the group achieved great success in Tejano music in the late 1980s, which allowed Selena to launch a solo career and become one of the most acclaimed Latin music artists of all time,” the article records.\n\n## A Father’s Tribute: The Biographical Film\n\nFollowing Selena’s murder in 1995, Quintanilla became an executive producer of a biographical film about her life. “After Selena’s murder in 1995, Quintanilla became an executive producer of a biographical film about her life, in which he was portrayed by actor Edward James Olmos,” the piece states. The film serves as a posthumous homage to Selena’s legacy and Quintanilla’s role in her rise.\n\n## Reflections and Legacy\n\nThe article underscores how Quintanilla’s influence extended beyond his own career to shape the trajectory of Tejano music and Selena’s enduring legacy. His death marks the end of an era for fans who have followed his family’s story for decades.\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. died Saturday at 86, confirmed by his son A.B. Quintanilla.\n- Selena was murdered on March 31, 1995 by her manager, Yolanda Saldívar.\n- Quintanilla founded Selena y Los Dinos, leading to Selena’s solo success.\n\n”Quintanilla’s passing reminds listeners of the profound impact he had on the music industry and on the life of his daughter, whose memory continues to resonate with fans worldwide.”
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
I’ve spent more than five years working in digital media, reporting on breaking news, local government, public safety, business growth, community events, and the real stories that shape life in Fort Worth. My goal has always been the same: to provide accurate, community-focused reporting that people can rely on every day.
