A.B. Quintanilla III Biography: Age, Career, Spouse, Net Worth

Who is A.B. Quintanilla III

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III, widely known by his professional name A.B. Quintanilla III, is an American record producer, songwriter, and musician. He is best recognized for his influential role in the Latin music industry, particularly in the cumbia and Tejano genres. A.B. Quintanilla is also famous for being the older brother of Selena Quintanilla, the late “Queen of Tejano Music.” Throughout his career, A.B. has contributed significantly to Latin music, both through his own musical ventures and as a producer for various artists, including his late sister Selena. He is also known for founding the successful Latin music groups Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz.

Profiling A.B. Quintanilla III

Biography

A.B. Quintanilla III is a highly influential American record producer, songwriter, and musician, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the cumbia music genre. Often referred to as the “King of Cumbia,” Quintanilla earned this title due to his substantial role in shaping and popularizing the genre, both in the United States and globally. His music career is deeply intertwined with the legacy of his younger sister, the late Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, widely known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” As a talented producer and songwriter, A.B. Quintanilla played an integral part in Selena’s rise to stardom by producing, writing, and arranging many of her iconic hits, including songs like “Como La Flor” and “Baila Esta Cumbia.”

In addition to his work with Selena, A.B. Quintanilla III is the founder and creator of the highly successful bands Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All Starz. These bands became known for their fusion of cumbia with various other genres, helping to modernize the traditional Latin sound and appeal to a new generation of fans. A.B. not only served as the driving force behind the bands’ creation but also as a producer, songwriter, and performer. His work with Kumbia Kings led to the release of numerous hits, solidifying his status as one of the foremost figures in Latin music.

A.B. Quintanilla III’s contributions extend beyond his own bands, as he has also worked with a wide array of other artists, producing and writing songs for them across different music genres. His versatility and ability to adapt his musical talents to a variety of styles have further solidified his place in the music industry. Throughout his career, A.B. Quintanilla III has continuously shaped the direction of Latin music, influencing countless artists and listeners around the world.

Early Life And Education

Abraham Isaac Quintanilla III, widely known as A.B. Quintanilla III, was born on December 13, 1963, in Toppenish, Washington, United States, to Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Ofelia Quintanilla (née Samoa). He is the eldest child in the Quintanilla family, with two younger sisters: the legendary Selena Quintanilla, known as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” and Suzette Quintanilla, who also became involved in the music industry as a drummer and later a business manager. A.B.’s father, Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr., was an accomplished American singer, songwriter, and producer, which undoubtedly influenced A.B.’s own musical career.

When A.B. was just three months old, his family relocated to Lake Jackson, Texas, where he was raised alongside his siblings. This move to Texas marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Quintanilla family, where they immersed themselves in both American and Mexican cultures, which would later influence A.B.’s music. A.B. Quintanilla’s background is Mexican-American, with his father of Mexican descent and his mother of both Mexican and Native American heritage. The family practiced Christianity, a faith that shaped their values and family life.

For his education, A.B. Quintanilla attended Brazoswood High School in Lake Jackson, where he developed his early interest in music. It was during these formative years that A.B. began honing his musical skills, an interest that would lead him to become one of the most influential figures in Latin music. His connection to both American and Mexican cultures would later play a crucial role in his ability to bridge the gap between different music genres, especially in his work with his sister Selena and his later projects like Kumbia Kings

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Age

A.B. Quintanilla III was born on December 13, 1963, in Toppenish, Washington, United States. As of 2024, he is 60 years old.

Career

A.B. Quintanilla III is a prominent American musician, producer, and songwriter whose career has had a significant impact on Latin music, particularly within the cumbia and Tejano genres. As the older brother of the late Selena Quintanilla, the “Queen of Tejano Music,” A.B. played an instrumental role in shaping her career, serving as her primary producer, composer, and musical director. His musical talents were evident from a young age, and he was pivotal in crafting Selena’s sound, including penning many of her most iconic songs, such as “Como la Flor,” “Baila Esta Cumbia,” and “Amor Prohibido”a’s career continued to flourish after Selena’s tragic death in 1995.

He went on to form the Kumbia Kings, a successful Latin music group that blended cumbia, pop, and other genres. Under his leadership, the Kumbia Kings became one of the most popular Latin groups of the early 2000s, achieving commercial success with albums like Kumbia Kings: Greatest Hits and La Vida de un Genio . His ability to tional Latin rhythms with contemporary sounds allowed him to appeal to both older generations and younger listeners, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and influential figure in Latin music.

In addition to his work with Kumbia Kings, A.B. Quintanilla III also formed the group Kumbia All Starz, which carried forward his musical vision while introducing new talent to the Latin music scene. His contributions to these bands, as well as his work producing, writing, and arranging songs for various other artists, have kept him a respected figure in the industry. Throughout his career, A.B. Quintanilla has earned numerous accolades, demonstrating his lasting influence on Latin music.

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Awards and Nominations

A.B. Quintanilla III, the iconic Tejano music producer and songwriter, has garnered numerous awards and nominations throughout his illustrious career.

Latin Grammy Awards

• Latin Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Song (for “Amor Prohibido” with Selena)
• Latin Grammy Award for Best Tejano Album (for “Selena Live” with Selena)
• Multiple nominations for Best Regional Mexican Music Album (for various albums)

Tejano Music Awards

• Multiple Tejano Music Awards for various categories, including Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Album of the Year

Billboard Latin Music Awards

• Multiple Billboard Latin Music Awards for various categories, including Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year and Latin Pop Artist of the Year

Other Awards and Nominations

ALMA Awards

• Premios Lo Nuestro
• Premios Furia Musical
• Ritmo Latino Awards
• And many more

Personal Life

A.B. Quintanilla III, known for his significant contributions to the Latin music industry, has had a personal life marked by several marriages and relationships. Over the years, he has been married five times, with each relationship contributing to his complex family dynamics.

His first marriage took place in 1988 when A.B. Quintanilla III was just 24 years old. He married Evangelina Almeida, and together they had two children, Martika and Savani Quintanilla. However, the couple separated in the late 1990s, and their divorce was finalized in 2000.

In 2002, A.B. Quintanilla III entered into his second marriage with Heather Grein. This union also produced two children: Abraham Isaac IV and Elijah Jae Quintanilla. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 2004. Despite the dissolution of their marriage, Heather Grein has maintained a positive relationship with A.B. Quintanilla and his family, indicating mutual respect and cordiality between them.

A.B. Quintanilla III’s third marriage was to Brenda Lee Ramírez, whom he wed in 2004. Together, they had two children, Elrey and Justin Quintanilla. However, shortly after the birth of their second child, they announced their separation and proceeded with a divorce. In an unexpected turn, A.B. and Brenda reconciled and had one more child in 2007. Despite their brief reunion, the couple ultimately separated again, and their divorce was finalized after several years.

In 2011, A.B. Quintanilla III married for the fourth time to Rikkie Leigh Robertson. Their relationship was tumultuous, with the couple separating in 2013 but reconciling shortly thereafter. However, in 2016, they once again parted ways, and their divorce was finalized in 2017. A.B. and Rikkie did not have any children together.

Aside from his four marriages, A.B. Quintanilla III has had other romantic relationships, including one with Summer Clary, who is the mother of his son, Gianni Quintanilla. Additionally, A.B. has been linked to relationships with Elizabeth Olsen and Susie De Los Santos, further showcasing the complexity and the ever-evolving nature of his personal life.

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Net Worth

As of 2024, A.B. Quintanilla, the renowned musician, songwriter, and producer, has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. His wealth primarily stems from his work as a key member of the influential Tejano group Los Dinos, his production and songwriting collaborations with his late sister Selena, and his ongoing musical ventures with groups like Kumbia Kings and Kumbia All-Stars.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @abquintanilla3