Beach Boys Star Brian Wilson Breaks Silence On Wife's Death

Brian Wilson, a music legend and co-founder of The Beach Boys, has lost his "anchor" after nearly three decades together.

The musician's grief radiated throughout a poignant post on Tuesday, where he announced the death of his longtime wife, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson. She passed away at 77, leaving behind a heartbroken husband and five children.

Brian broke the sad news on Instagram, sharing two throwback pictures of his late wife. The first captured the Wilson family's matriarch in her younger glory, while the second slide showed the loving couple posing together.

The renowned keyboardist captioned these heartwarming snaps with two statements — the first being his announcement of Melinda's death, while the second was a joint message from the spouses' children. Brian's grief-stricken statement read:

"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. 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," the heartbroken husband continued before signing off with a plea to fans, writing:

"She was my anchor. She was everything for us. Please say a prayer for her. Love and Mercy, Brian."

In his children's statement, they noted their mother passed away peacefully at home before sharing more details about her personality. "She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by," their message declared, adding:

"She was not only a model, our father's savior, and a mother, she was a woman empowered by her spirit with a mission to better everyone she touched. We will miss her but cherish everything she has taught us."

They explained that Melinda taught them the importance of caring for others unconditionally and finding beauty in the darkest places. She also instilled in them the will to live as their "truest self with honesty and pride." 

"We love you mom. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love," the kids concluded their statement. The joint farewell received thousands of condolences from fans and celebrities, with rock star Nancy Wilson commenting: "Love and prayer aloft. Take care of each other."

Fellow musician Graham Nash echoed similar sentiments, writing: "I'm deeply sorry for your loss, Brian, and for the terrible hurt you are all feeling. My heart, love, and prayers are with you and your family."

Another touching comment came from the guitarist Brian Ray, who shared his condolences with the words: "I'm so very sorry to hear this news, Brian. She was a very special person, and you were lucky to have each other."

Like his fans, we hope Brian finds comfort as he grieves. RIP Melinda!

Brian was married to Melinda from 1995 till her death in 2024. The musician's late wife was a former model who worked at an upscale auto dealership in Los Angeles in 1986, where the couple first met and began their decades-long relationship.

"I remember meeting her at her dealership, Cadillac, and I said, 'God, she's a pretty girl,'" Brian recalled in a 2015 interview, adding, "'That's a pretty girl.' I just said to myself, 'God, I think I'll see her again sometime.'"

Meanwhile, Melinda did not fall in love at first sight but was attracted to the music icon's kindness. "That's what attracted me to him. He was so nice," she reminisced.

The lovebirds dated from 1986 to 1989 before saying their vows in a beautiful ceremony on February 6, 1995, in California. They adopted five children — daughters Daria, Delanie, and Dakota, and sons Dylan and Dash.

Before meeting Melinda, Brian married the singer Marilyn Rovell, whom he began dating in 1962. However, the pair initially kept their romance a secret given their significant age gap, with Marilyn being 15 while the keyboardist was 21 at the start of their relationship.

They tied the knot in December 1964, but their marriage was filled with problems. Brian suffered from panic attacks and nervous breakdowns, which worsened with his drug and alcohol use.

He also had several affairs, including with Marilyn's sister, Diane Rovell. These problems eventually caused the end of their marriage in 1978.