Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, mourns wife Melinda Ledbetter’s passing at 77
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
6:05 PM – Tuesday, January 30, 2024
The Beach Boys co-founder and musical legend Brian Wilson has announced the heartbreaking news of his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter, passing away at the age of 77.
On Tuesday, Wilson, 81, shared an emotional Instagram post revealing the devastating loss of his beloved wife. Wilson expressed his grief and shared two pictures in memory of her.
The couple tied the knot in 1995.
“My heart is broken,” Wilson said. “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.”
The iconic Beach Boys legend and accomplished solo artist also expressed his gratitude for Ledbetter’s unwavering support throughout their nearly three-decade-long marriage. Ledbetter, who transitioned from a model to a car salesman and eventually became Wilson’s talent manager, played a crucial role in his career.
“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,” Wilson added.
In addition, Wilson shared a heartfelt message from their children in his social media post. Wilson and Ledbetter were loving parents to five adopted children: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash.
Brian also has two daughters from his previous marriage, Carnie and Wendy Wilson. Both daughters, along with John Phillips’s daughter Chynna Phillips, formed the popular 1989 pop vocal group Wilson Phillips.
“It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know that our mom, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson passed away peacefully this morning at home,” their children wrote. “She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by. 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. 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.”
His children concluded the statement, saying: “We love you mom. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love.”
Wilson and Ledbetter first crossed paths in 1986 when she sold The Beach Boys star a Cadillac. They began dating shortly after, but their relationship had a brief hiatus in 1989. However, in 1992, they reconnected in Los Angeles, resumed dating, and eventually got married three years later.
In a 1998 interview, Wilson expressed his deep affection for his wife, describing her as a “partner who’s also a best friend” and stating that he had never experienced a relationship like theirs before.
Ledbetter also played a significant role in supporting Wilson with his schizoaffective disorder, providing assistance in managing his ongoing hallucinations, paranoia, and other challenges.
Before entering the auto sales industry, Ledbetter worked as a model for 16 years. She was born in Whittier, California.
Their remarkable love story was portrayed in the 2014 biopic film Love & Mercy, featuring actors Paul Dano and John Cusack as the young and middle-aged Wilson, respectively, and Elizabeth Banks as Ledbetter.
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What role did Melinda Ledbetter play in helping Brian Wilson manage his schizoaffective disorder?
Brian Wilson, co-founder of The Beach Boys and musical legend, has announced the heartbreaking news of his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter, passing away at the age of 77.
On Tuesday, Wilson, 81, shared an emotional Instagram post revealing the devastating loss of his beloved wife. Wilson expressed his grief and shared two pictures in memory of her. The couple tied the knot in 1995.
“My heart is broken,” Wilson said. “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.”
The iconic Beach Boys legend and accomplished solo artist also expressed his gratitude for Ledbetter’s unwavering support throughout their nearly three-decade-long marriage. Ledbetter, who transitioned from a model to a car salesman and eventually became Wilson’s talent manager, played a crucial role in his career.
“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,” Wilson added.
In addition, Wilson shared a heartfelt message from their children in his social media post. Wilson and Ledbetter were loving parents to five adopted children: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash.
Brian also has two daughters from his previous marriage, Carnie and Wendy Wilson. Both daughters, along with John Phillips’s daughter Chynna Phillips, formed the popular 1989 pop vocal group Wilson Phillips.
“It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know that our mom, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson passed away peacefully this morning at home,” their children wrote. “She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by. 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. 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.”
His children concluded the statement, saying: “We love you mom. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love.”
Wilson and Ledbetter first crossed paths in 1986 when she sold The Beach Boys star a Cadillac. They began dating shortly after, but their relationship had a brief hiatus in 1989. However, in 1992, they reconnected in Los Angeles, resumed dating, and eventually got married three years later.
In a 1998 interview, Wilson expressed his deep affection for his wife, describing her as a “partner who’s also a best friend” and stating that he had never experienced a relationship like theirs before.
Ledbetter also played a significant role in supporting Wilson with his schizoaffective disorder, providing assistance in managing his ongoing hallucinations, paranoia, and other challenges.
Before entering the auto sales industry, Ledbetter worked as a model for 16 years. She was born in Whittier, California.
Their remarkable love story was portrayed in the 2014 biopic film Love & Mercy, featuring actors Paul Dano and John Cusack as the young and middle-aged Wilson, respectively, and Elizabeth Banks as Ledbetter.
The world mourns the loss of Melinda Ledbetter, a woman who played an integral role in Brian Wilson’s life and career. May she rest in peace.
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