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A.B. Quintanilla III Breaks Silence in Emotional Video Following Father’s Passing

Tejano music icon shares details surrounding Abraham Quintanilla Jr.’s death, honors his legacy, and addresses long-standing misconceptions about family, finances, and Selena’s enduring impact

A.B. Quintanilla III
A.B. Quintanilla III | Photo: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation

In the early hours of the morning, A.B. Quintanilla III took to social media to share a deeply personal and emotional message with fans following the passing of his father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. Speaking candidly in the early morning hours, the producer, songwriter, and musician explained that sleep had been difficult as the family continues to process their loss.

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Acknowledging the public’s concern, A.B. said he felt a responsibility to speak directly to those who have supported the Quintanilla family for decades. “When you’re a public figure, you have a public that loves you,” he shared, emphasizing that fans deserve clarity—not out of curiosity, but out of love and respect.

According to A.B., his father passed away peacefully in his sleep. While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, he reassured fans that Abraham did not suffer. He also confirmed that, in accordance with his father’s wishes, there will be no funeral services and that Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was cremated. “Those were my dad’s wishes, and we will respect those wishes,” A.B. said.

Abraham Quintanilla | Credit: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation

Much of the video centered on compassion—not only for his immediate family, but especially for his mother, Marcella Quintanilla, who has now lost both a child and her life partner. A.B. also extended heartfelt condolences to others grieving loved ones, reminding viewers that loss is a shared human experience.

Beyond addressing his father’s passing, A.B. used the moment to confront what he described as persistent sees of misinformation and criticism aimed at his family, particularly regarding his father’s role in Selena’s career and the family’s business dealings.

Calling Abraham Quintanilla Jr. a “visionary,” A.B. credited his father with recognizing talent in his children and building a family-run musical enterprise from the ground up. He detailed how the family operated as equal partners—Selena, Suzette Quintanilla, himself, and their father—sharing finances transparently and reinvesting earnings into equipment, transportation, and growth.

People act like everything was about money,” A.B. said, firmly rejecting that narrative. “It never was.” Instead, he described a humble upbringing rooted in love, recalling moments in their small home, sharing meals and laughter as a family before fame and success arrived.

A.B. Quintanilla, Marcella Quintanilla, Abraham Quintanilla, and Suzette Quintanilla in 2019. | Credit: Ari Michelson

A.B. also revisited the painful aftermath of Selena’s tragic death on March 31, 1995, a date he said still haunts him. He explained that the family’s decisions since then have always been guided by Selena’s wishes—to never let the world forget her. More than three decades later, he pointed to her continued record-breaking success and enduring global love as proof that her legacy remains strong.

Addressing another frequently debated topic, A.B. clarified the business structure following Selena’s passing, confirming that Chris Pérez was brought in as a full partner, taking Selena’s 25 percent share. Today, with his father’s passing, Marcella Quintanilla will assume that role, maintaining the four-member board that votes collectively on all projects tied to Selena’s legacy.

Chris Perez
Chris Perez | Credit: Isaac Castillo / Tejano Nation

In a moment of rare transparency, A.B. also spoke openly about finances, explaining that as a producer and songwriter, he earned significantly more than other members—by industry design, not favoritism. “I worked my ass off,” he said, noting the long hours, touring, producing, and writing that resulted in the music fans still cherish today.

Still, A.B. made it clear that money has never been the motivation. His passion for writing and producing was born from fear of losing his job early on—and later sustained by the priceless gift Selena left behind: the opportunity to create timeless music together.

Closing the video, A.B. asked fans to let his father rest in peace and to “put some love on his name.” He reflected on Abraham Quintanilla Jr.’s greatest achievement—not fame or finances, but making his children believe that the impossible was possible.

“That dream,” A.B. said, “is something we hope you pass on to your kids too.”

As the Tejano community continues to mourn the loss of Abraham Quintanilla Jr., A.B.’s message stands as a reminder of family, legacy, and the enduring power of music rooted in love.

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