Chris Perez, Selena’s widower, is paying tribute to his late father-in-law, Abraham Quintanilla, who died earlier this week.
The 86-year-old father and former manager of the late Latin music icon passed away on Saturday (Dec. 13). A cause of death was not disclosed by his family.
Perez, 56, eulogized Abraham in a sweet post shared to his Instagram, reading, “This man right here... there was no better feeling than when I knew he had my back. Powerful, decisive, a force of nature. An original and the definition of tough love...when it was called for...BUT, he was also all about love, nurturing, and protection.”
He continued, “When I was living in the moment, with all my hang ups, I didn't realize how special that was...and I worked so hard to gain his respect. As I got older and became a father myself, I began to understand his method of operating as the head of his family...and I UNDERSTOOD his ways of being so much clearer. He will forever be someone I look to and think about when times get tough, when times are beautiful, when I might be confused with things going on around me…
“Thank you Abraham for everything. I will always love and miss you,” he concluded.
The Quintanilla family also issued their own statement, calling him a “devoted family man whose life was marked by faith, discipline, and steadfast love.”
“As the father and manager of Selena y Los Dinos, Abraham played an essential role in developing his children’s talents and helping share their music with the world,” the statement read. “Throughout his life, he remained committed to honoring Selena’s legacy with care, responsibility, and deep respect. The family is grateful for the many expressions of kindness, prayers, and support they have received and respectfully asks for privacy as they grieve and reflect during this time.”
Perez joined Selena y Los Dinos in the early 90’s as the band’s guitarist. His relationship with the music star secretly turned romantic. Despite initial objections from Abraham after their romance was uncovered, Selena and Chris eloped in April 1992. They remained married until Selena’s untimely death in March 1995 when she was fatally shot by her former fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar.
In 2016, Abraham sued Perez over a proposed television deal based on Perez's memoir, To Selena, With Love, alleging it violated an agreement signed after Selena's death that gave Quintanilla control over her image and likeness, per KSAT.
The following year, Perez countersued, claiming he was taken advantage of by Quintanilla during a vulnerable period while he was grieving Selena's death.
The litigation continued for several years until Sept. 2021, when a civil district court judge in Nueces County dismissed the case with prejudice.
Later that month, Perez announced that the dispute had been amicably resolved.
Abraham is survived by his wife Marcella and his two children Suzette and A.B.