Brian Wilson’s wife Melinda Ledbetter shared a marriage full of ups and downs after they first met in 1986 and eventually tied the knot in 1995, with her passing one year before him
Brian Wilson, the lead singer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at 82 after a battle with a neurocognative disorder similar to dementia.
His family shared on X: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Being the co-founder of the Beach Boys, Brian enjoyed a life in the public eye – including his relationship to his late wife, Melinda Ledbetter. She passed away in 2024, one year before her husband.
At the time, Brian announced that his wife Melinda Ledbetter had passed away at the age of 77. The renowned band’s frontman shared the heartbreaking news on X. “My heart is broken. Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning.
“Our five children and I are just in tears,” Brian penned, “We are lost. Melinda was more than my wife. She was my saviour. 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. Love and Mercy Brian,” he concluded.
Their love story began in 1986 when she sold him a Cadillac car. Their relationship saw several ups and downs over three years before they finally committed to each other in 1992, reports the Mirror.
After tying the knot in 1995, the couple adopted their five children – Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash. Together, they weathered many storms, including Brian’s ongoing mental health issues.
Melinda played a crucial role in liberating Brian from his psychiatrist Eugene Landy through a court order and ensuring he received appropriate mental health care. Their enduring bond during this challenging period was depicted in the 2014 biopic, Love and Mercy.
Melinda was clearly cherished by Brian, and her children as well. Brian posted a message from them on social media which read: “It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know that our mum, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson passed away peacefully this morning at home. She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by.”
The message went on to say: “She was not only a model, our father’s saviour, 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. How to take care of the person next to you without expecting anything in return, how to find beauty in the darkest of places, and how to live life as your truest self with honesty and pride. We love you mum. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
