Selena Quintanilla Family Now: Why the Legacy Is Shifting in 2026

Selena Quintanilla Family Now: Why the Legacy Is Shifting in 2026

The purple jumpsuit is still there. If you walk into the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles right now, you’ll see it—that iconic, shimmering outfit Selena Quintanilla wore when she accepted her Grammy in 1994. It’s part of a massive new exhibit called Selena: From Texas to the World, which just opened in January 2026.

But behind the glass cases and the remastered hits, the Selena Quintanilla family now looks very different than they did even five years ago.

Time moves fast. Honestly, for the Quintanillas, it has been a blur of high-stakes business deals, deep personal loss, and a very public changing of the guard. The family isn't just "preserving" a legacy anymore; they are fighting to keep it relevant for a generation that wasn't even born when the Queen of Tejano was alive.

The Passing of a Patriarch: Abraham’s Final Chapter

For decades, Abraham Quintanilla Jr. was the iron fist of the estate. He was the protector. The gatekeeper. You couldn't talk about Selena without talking about Abraham.

That era ended in December 2025.

Abraham passed away at 86, leaving a massive void in the family dynamic. He spent thirty years essentially frozen in 1995, meticulously managing every photo, every unreleased track, and every interview. While his methods were often polarizing—some fans felt he was too controlling—his devotion was undeniable.

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Now, the burden falls squarely on his children. Marcella Samora, Selena’s mother, has mostly stepped back from the public eye. At 81, she remains the quiet heart of the family, often seen in sweet Instagram clips with her grandchildren, but she’s no longer the one making the calls at Q-Productions.

Suzette Quintanilla: The New CEO

If you’ve noticed a shift in how Selena’s image is handled lately—more streetwear collaborations, more high-end museum pop-ups, and a massive social media presence—that’s all Suzette.

Suzette Quintanilla is the CEO and President of Q-Productions now. She’s the one who negotiated the deals with MAC Cosmetics and pushed for the 2025 Netflix documentary, Selena y Los Dinos: A Family’s Legacy.

She’s basically the "new guard."

Unlike her father, who was often wary of "outsiders," Suzette has leaned into the modern world. She understands that to keep Selena’s spirit alive in 2026, you have to meet the fans where they are. That means TikTok trends. That means limited-edition vinyl. It’s a business, sure, but for Suzette, it’s clearly personal. She recently spoke at the Grammy Museum opening, tearfully noting that seeing Selena’s microphone—still stained with her sister’s red lipstick—never gets easier.

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A.B. Quintanilla’s Health and Music Battle

A.B. has always been the most outspoken member of the Selena Quintanilla family now. He’s a musical genius, but the last couple of years have been a rollercoaster.

In late 2024, A.B. had a major health scare in Bolivia. He was rushed to the ER after a show with symptoms of dehydration, but doctors found fluid in his right lung. It was a wake-up call. Since then, he’s been much more vocal about his struggles with mental health, specifically bipolar disorder and PTSD stemming from his sister’s death.

Musically? He’s still at it. He’s been working on new projects and recently collaborated with newer acts like Grupo Frontera. He lives in Corpus Christi with his wife, Angela, and they spend a lot of time traveling. But even in 2026, he’s still the guy who hears Selena’s voice in the studio, pushing him to get the bassline just right.

Where Does Chris Perez Fit In?

The relationship between the Quintanillas and Selena’s widower, Chris Perez, has been... complicated. That’s putting it lightly. For years, they were locked in legal battles over his book and his rights to her story.

But something changed.

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Maybe it was the 30th anniversary of Selena’s passing approaching, or maybe it was just age. In late 2025 and early 2026, the ice finally thawed. Chris was actually part of the new Netflix documentary. He’s also been supportive of the Grammy Museum exhibit.

Chris still lives in San Antonio. He’s a dad to two kids, Cassie and Noah, from his previous marriage to Venessa Villanueva. He still plays guitar. He still makes hot sauce. And yes, he still posts about Selena. In January 2026, he shared a memory from the 1994 Grammys, reminding everyone that while he’s moved on with his life, he’s still the keeper of the most intimate parts of her history.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Family

People love to paint the Quintanillas as villains or opportunists. It’s easy to do from a distance. But when you look at the Selena Quintanilla family now, you see a group of people who are still just grieving.

They’ve spent thirty years living in the shadow of a tragedy that the rest of the world views as a "story." For them, it’s not a story. It’s the sister who never got to have kids. It’s the daughter who never grew old.

The "Selena Industry" is massive, but it’s also the only way they have left to talk to her.

Key Takeaways for Fans in 2026:

  • The Museum is Moving: For the first time, major artifacts are traveling outside of Corpus Christi. If you're in LA before March 16, 2026, the Grammy Museum is a must-see.
  • New Music is Rare: Don't expect a vault of "new" songs. The family is focusing on high-quality remasters, like the Dreaming of You 30th-anniversary edition.
  • Follow the Right Channels: Suzette is the best source for official updates. She’s active on Instagram and frequently shares behind-the-scenes looks at Q-Productions.
  • Support the Foundation: The Selena Foundation now gives back almost 90% of its proceeds to youth-based community programs. It’s the most direct way to honor her "pay it forward" spirit.

The best way to keep up with the family is to watch the 2025 documentary on Netflix. It’s the first time they’ve all—including Chris—sat down to tell the story without the "Hollywood glitter" of the 1997 movie.

You can also visit the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, which remains open year-round. It’s still run by the family, and if you’re lucky, you might even see Suzette or A.B. walking through the halls of the studio where the magic first happened.