Who Is Marcella Quintanilla? Meet Abraham Quintanilla Jr's Wife And Their 3 Kids Including Selena

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez's father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr, 's death has once again brought the Quintanilla family and Selena's memories to the global spotlight. He passed away quietly on December 13, 2024, at the age of 86. His son, A.B Quintanilla III, confirmed the news of his demise. Although the family has yet not reveal the exact cause of his death, tributes from inside the music industry and fans are pouring in for the man and father, who shaped his daughter, Selena's career. Amid the mourning, Abraham's wife, Marcella, has now become a center of attention. Here's everything you need to know about her and how her quiet yet strong presence has shaped her family's legacy. 

Who is Marcella Quintanilla?

Marcella Samora, later known as Marcella Quintanilla, was born on July 14, 1944. She is best known as the mother of late music legend Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, wife of Abraham Quintanilla Jr, and the matriarch of the Quintanilla family. Unlike her husband or children, who worked in the spotlight, Marcella's life has largely been private. The sources close to their family have often described her as a deeply emotional, protective, and grounded person. 

One of the biggest setbacks of her life came with the demise of her youngest daughter, Selena, in a tragic incident at the age of 23 in 1995. The incident made Marcella even more reserved. Since then, she has been rarely seen in interviews or public events. Yet, her influence has been a strong source of support for her husband and three children. She and Abraham worked hard together to preserve their daughter, Selena's, memories and supporting initiatives dedicated to her legacy. 

Marcella had also made a brief appearance in the 2023 Netflix documentary, Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy,, where she shared some previously unknown insights about Selena's childhood and their family's journey to global fame. The documentary gave a glimpse of a devoted mother who continues to honour her daughter's impact on music while grieving her loss at a young age.

Marcella had a long-lasting marriage with Abraham Quintanilla. 

Marcella first met Abraham Quintanilla Jr. in the early 1960s when he was posted at a military base in Washington state. The duo tied the knot on June 8, 1963, and later settled in Corpus Christi, Texas. They welcomed their three children and raised them in that place. Their children include a son, A.B Quintanilla III. He is now a successful musician, songwriter, and producer. On the other hand, their daughter, Suzette Quintanilla is a former drummer of Selena y Los Dinos and now CEO of Q-Productions. Lastly, their youngest and most famous daughter, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, was known as the "Queen of Tejano."

When Abraham Quintanilla focused on managing their family band with his three children and their musical direction, Marcella was a strong emotional anchor that kept the family together. She had always supported Selena's musical ambitions, including her fashion ventures and her marriage to guitarist Chris Pérez. Some sources claimed that her steady and warm presence balanced her husband's strict managing style for their children. 

More about Selena Quintanilla-Pérez 

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was born on April 16, 1971, and rose to fame as the "Queen of Tejano Music." Selena entered a male-dominated genre and made it her field, achieving success. But before she could progress further, she was tragically cut short on March 31, 1995. Selena was shot by Yolanda Saldívar, the former president of her fan club, after they had a confrontation over financial misconduct.

According to authorities, Selena was killed at a Corpus Christi motel after attempting to retrieve her financial records. After the incident, she died from severe blood loss at just 23 years old. Yolanda was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Post her demise, Marcella has dealt with an unimaginable loss with quiet strength. She co-founded the Selena Museum and supports the Selena Foundation, which focuses on helping underprivileged children. As she continues to grieve privately over her husband and daughter's passing, it marks the end of an era for her family. 

 Rest in peace, Abraham Quintanilla. 

Next Read: Abraham Quintanilla Had Warned Daughter Selena About Yolanda Saldivar, Asked Her To Be Careful

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