Jovan Arriaga may carry the last name of one of Tejano music’s most iconic families, but his journey is uniquely his own. As the son of Suzette Quintanilla, the sister of the late Selena Quintanilla, Jovan grew up surrounded by the cultural imprint of a family beloved in the Latino music world. Yet, rather than follow in the footsteps of music legends, he has chosen a path rooted in service, intellect, and humility.
Early Life in the Quintanilla Legacy
Born on March 5, 1998, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Jovan Arriaga is now 27 years old. He is the only child of Suzette Quintanilla and Bill Arriaga. His mother, Suzette, was the drummer for Selena y Los Dinos, the band that launched Selena to stardom. While Jovan was born three years after the tragic passing of his aunt Selena in 1995, her influence has remained deeply woven into the narrative of his upbringing.
Growing up in the Quintanilla household meant more than just hearing about Selena’s legacy. His family worked tirelessly to preserve her memory. Jovan was raised in a home where resilience, cultural pride, and creative energy thrived. Suzette, in particular, has played a central role in curating and managing the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi, which honors her sister’s enduring impact.
Despite being born into a legacy so closely tied to fame, Jovan was never pushed into the spotlight. His upbringing was relatively quiet, grounded in normalcy, family traditions, and education.
Education and Academic Ambition
Jovan attended high school in Corpus Christi and graduated with honors in 2017. During those years, he also excelled in sports, with a strong interest in baseball. His time as a student-athlete instilled a sense of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
Rather than lean into music or entertainment, Jovan took an entirely different route. He enrolled at Texas A&M University, where he studied hydraulic engineering. This academic pursuit signaled his desire to build something separate from his family’s fame—a contribution not to the stage, but to society’s structural foundation.
Hydraulic engineering, a field focused on water movement and infrastructure, is no easy career path. It requires precision, problem-solving, and long-term thinking. Jovan’s selection of this field shows a mindset focused on sustainability and public welfare, not celebrity or entertainment.
Career in Civil Engineering
As of 2025, Jovan Arriaga works professionally as a hydraulic civil engineer. His career is built on helping communities manage water systems, flood control, and infrastructure development. In a time when climate issues and sustainable living are more important than ever, his work plays a quiet but crucial role in the lives of many.
By working behind the scenes in a technical and often overlooked profession, Jovan has shown that true influence doesn’t require attention or headlines. His mission appears to be centered on real-world impact, not social validation.
Relationship and Personal Life
Jovan’s personal life reflects the same values he demonstrates professionally: discretion, loyalty, and authenticity. Since late 2019, he has been in a relationship with Mallory Smith, a second-grade teacher from Corpus Christi. The couple has made a conscious choice to keep their relationship away from public exposure.
They avoid red carpets, paparazzi, and online spectacle. While many children of famous families build social media profiles to mirror or monetize their connections, Jovan has resisted that pull. His Instagram account is private, and he shares little about his personal life, opting to maintain genuine relationships away from the digital spotlight.
Connection to Selena’s Legacy
Even as Jovan builds his career in engineering, the shadow of Selena’s legacy is never far. The Quintanilla name remains significant in the world of Tejano music and Latin culture. But Jovan has embraced that legacy without being defined by it.
His mother, Suzette, remains active in curating Selena’s memory through the museum and other cultural initiatives. Jovan has occasionally appeared alongside his family at select events, but he chooses not to use these moments for personal promotion. His reverence for his aunt’s legacy comes through in how respectfully he carries the family name.
In many ways, Jovan represents the next generation of the Quintanilla family—one not focused on performing on stage, but on honoring the past through quiet contribution and forward-thinking work.
Estimated Net Worth and Public Perception
As of 2025, Jovan Arriaga’s estimated net worth is around $300,000 to $500,000. This figure reflects a steady career in engineering rather than any involvement in media or music royalties. He earns his living through professional expertise, and there is no public record of him profiting from Selena’s estate or family fame.
He is not considered a celebrity in the conventional sense, and that’s exactly how he prefers it. While his name might attract occasional curiosity, Jovan has made it clear through actions, not words, that his identity is rooted in who he is, not where he came from.
A Life of Meaning Beyond Fame
Jovan Arriaga’s life offers a quiet lesson in individuality. He is proof that even in the most storied families, it’s possible to choose your own path. His story is not one of rejection, but of respectful distance. He honors his roots while reaching toward a future that reflects his personal goals and beliefs.
In a world increasingly obsessed with visibility, Jovan reminds us that real value lies in substance. He may never top a music chart or go viral online, but his work as an engineer, his loyalty to family, and his grounded character offer a meaningful kind of success that often goes unnoticed.
Jovan Arriaga stands not in the spotlight, but with his feet firmly on the ground—building, serving, and quietly writing a legacy of his own.
