Selena Quintanilla and her dad Abraham Quintanilla

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., father of late Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla, has died at the age of 86, his family announced Saturday. His son, musician and producer A.B. Quintanilla III, share the heartbreaking update on Instagram.

In the post, A.B. wrote that it was "with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today." No official cause of death has been released yet.

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Born February 22, 1939, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Abraham Quintanilla was a singer, songwriter, record producer and music executive whose influence shaped the course of Tejano music for decades. Early in his career he was a member of the singing group Los Dinos, and later devoted himself to nurturing the musical talents of his children. After recognizing his daughter Selena's remarkable voice, he formed the family band Selena y Los Dinos, which also featured his son A.B. and daughter Suzette. Under his management, Selena's star rose swiftly through the Tejano music scene, earning her a devoted fan base and culminating in crossover success that positioned her as one of the most beloved Latin artists of her generation.

Quintanilla's role in Selena's career extended far beyond that of a typical manager. He booked early performances at local events, negotiated recording contracts and helped guide the group's artistic direction. Selena's legacy includes multiple Tejano Music Awards and a Grammy Award in 1994 for Best Mexican-American Album. Her sudden death in 1995, when she was only 23, was a profound tragedy that resonated around the world.

Following Selena's murder, Quintanilla became one of the principal guardians of her legacy. He was instrumental in establishing the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, which preserves her memorabilia and celebrates her life and impact. He oversaw posthumous releases of her music and participated in various film and television portrayals of her story, including the 1997 biographical film Selena, in which he was portrayed by actor Edward James Olmos. His stewardship helped ensure that new generations discovered and cherished Selena's music long after her death.

Beyond his work with his daughter, Quintanilla founded Q-Productions, a Latin music entertainment company that became a hub for artists in the genre. Although in recent years he had taken a more advisory role with the company, his influence on Latin music business practices and artist development remained significant.

Fans, fellow artists and members of the Tejano music community are expected to share tributes in the coming days as more details about funeral arrangements and memorial plans become available. At a time of reflection on the immense cultural contributions of Selena and her family, Abraham Quintanilla's passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Latin music history.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information emerges

Originally published on Latin Times