The Quintanilla family, known for their contributions to Tejano music and the enduring legacy of the late Selena Quintanilla, is navigating a new chapter of loss. A.B. Quintanilla III, brother of the iconic "Queen of Tejano," has spoken out amid the recent death of their father Abraham Quintanilla Jr. on December 13 at the ripe age of 86. A.B. has confirmed that, in line with their father's wishes, no funeral service will take place. The elder Quintanilla is remembered as a pivotal figure in the rise of their family's musical influence, having managed his daughter’s career until her untimely death in 1995.
A.B. Quintanilla addressed the public through a video on social media, detailing the family's approach to their father's passing and countering rumors about the family's internal affairs. According to Fox San Antonio, A.B. expressed, "The whole money hungry thing you acted like my dad was just making all kinds of decisions based on financials and it was never about that and it still never is about that. He made everything possible for his family and I love him for that and I thank him for that,." The cause of death remained unknown at the time of his statements, though A.B. intended to update the public as more information became available. Foul play, nonetheless, is not suspected.
In a separate expression of his grief and defense of his family's honor, A.B. Quintanilla took to Instagram in a two-part video, elaborating not only on the emotions swirling within but also on the "ugly things" being said about his father posthumously. Quintanilla, who performed with Selena as part of Selena y Los Dinos, emphasized his father's role as a "visionary" who fostered their talents from a young start and always operated in a transparent fashion regarding the band's financials. "People act like everything was about money," Quintanilla said. "It never was." These comments, preserved in the emotional late-night recording, are documented by the San Antonio Express-News.
A.B. reminisced about the family's humble beginnings, teared up when discussing the tragedy of Selena's murder, and charged critics to let his father rest in peace and "put some love on his name." He underscored Abraham Quintanilla Jr.'s biggest accomplishment as instilling in his children a belief that anything is possible. This sentiment reflects an enduring dream within the Quintanilla family, one that A.B. hope will continue to inspire others. Despite the lack of formal funeral proceedings, the emotions and memories shared by A.B. encapsulate a personal farewell to a father whose impact on his family and Tejano music remains indelible, as mentioned by the San Antonio Express-News.
