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Brian Wilson Dies At Age 82
Record producer and co-founder of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, dies at the age of 82.
Wilson’s family posted an announcement on Facebook on Wednesday morning about his passing. The message stated, “At this moment, we are at a loss for words.”
Since our family is in mourning, kindly respect our privacy during this time. The statement, which was also posted on the musician’s website and Instagram, read, “We understand that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
The reason for death was not disclosed in the announcement. Wilson passed away in May 2024, more than a year after it was made public that he had been placed under guardianship and given a dementia diagnosis. Wilson fought drug addiction and mental health problems for decades.
On June 11, 2025, it was revealed that Wilson had died at the age of 82. His 83rd birthday was just a few days away. His cause of death and other facts were not disclosed by his family.
“The maestro has passed – the man was a [sic] open heart with two legs – with an ear that heard the angels,” commented actor John Cusack, who played Wilson in the 2014 movie Love and Mercy. In a literal sense. Tonight, I send you and yours love and mercy. Wilson’s “biggest influences” and his status as a “musical genius” and “revolutionary” were praised by Sir Elton John.
Other musicians and artists who paid tribute to Wilson included Bob Dylan, Carole King, Keith Richards, Mick Fleetwood, Ronnie Wood, Maggie Rogers, Gracie Abrams, Clairo, Nancy Sinatra, Julian Lennon, Sean Ono Lennon, Diane Warren, John Cale, Stephen Bishop, Questlove, and Cameron Crowe.
Who Was Brian Wilson?
Brian Douglas Wilson was born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, U.S.
He co-founded the Beach Boys and was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and musician. He is regarded as one of the most inventive and important songwriters of the 20th century and is frequently referred to as a genius for his fresh approaches to pop composition and command of recording techniques.
His most well-known composition stands out for its intricate orchestrations and harmonies, vocal layering, introspective or inventive themes, and excellent production values.
Wilson’s lengthy battles with mental illness and his wide range of vocals were equally well-known.
The California sound, art pop, psychedelia, chamber pop, progressive music, punk, outsider, and sunshine pop are just a few of the music movements and genres that consider him a key figure.
Styles like post-punk, indie rock, emo, dream pop, Shibuya-kei, and chillwave have all been influenced by him since the 1980s.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award, and he garnered other industry honors, including two Grammy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors.
In 1988, he received induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. The 2014 biopic Love and Mercy dramatized his life and career.
Brian Wilson’s Wife And Children
In December 1964, Wilson and Marilyn tied the knot. Carnie and Wendy, their two daughters, were born in 1968 and 1969, respectively.
In January 1979, Wilson filed for divorce from Marilyn after their separation. In addition to half of Wilson’s songwriting profits, Marilyn was granted custody of their children.
Later, on February 6, 1995, he married Melinda Kae Ledbetter. Ledbetter became Wilson’s manager.
They adopted five children: Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash, and Dakota Rose.
Ledbetter died on January 30, 2024, at the age of 77.
By 2012, Wilson had six grandchildren: two daughters of Carnie and four sons of Wendy.
Brian Wilson Net Worth
Brian Wilson was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death in 2025.
