Brian Wilson, the Grammy-winning singer who cofounded the Beach Boys, has died. He was 82.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” his family wrote in a statement shared via Facebook on Wednesday, June 11. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Wilson’s family previously requested a conservatorship over his person in February 2024, revealing in court documents that he suffered from a “major neurocognitive disorder such as dementia.” They filed the motion to “ensure that all of [his] daily living needs [were satisfied] and he [had] the best possible care while remaining in his home.”
The family confirmed the news in a statement shared via X at the time. “Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife, Melinda [Ledbetter], after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, [housekeeper] Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person,” they said.
The statement continued: “The decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family.”
Wilson was married to Ledbetter from February 1995 until her death in January 2024. They adopted five children together during their relationship: Dakota, Daria, Delanie, Dylan and Dash. Wilson was also the father of daughters Carnie and Wendy, whom he shared with ex-wife Marilyn Rovell.
In January 2024, Wilson expressed his grief over Ledbetter’s death. “My heart is broken. Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning. Our five children and I are just in tears. We are lost,” he wrote via Instagram. “Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior. She gave me the emotional security I needed to have a career. She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart. She was my anchor. She was everything for us. Please say a prayer for her.”
Born in California in June 1942, Wilson formed the Beach Boys alongside his brothers, Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love and high school friend Al Jardine in 1961. The group spent the decade releasing a string of hit singles and chart-topping albums, but Wilson ultimately took a step back from the band amid issues with addiction and mental illness. His career was revived in the mid-90s when he dropped a slew of solo albums.
Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Beach Boys in 1988. In 2000, he earned a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he received a Kennedy Center Honor for his contribution to the performing arts.