Brian Wilson is grappling with a profound loss. The founder of The Beach Boys is in a state of mourning. His wife of nearly three decades, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, passed away on the morning of January 30. At the time of her death, she was 77.
“My heart is shattered,” Wilson shared on Instagram, following her death. He saw Melinda as more than just a spouse. In his words, she was his “savior.” She provided him with the emotional stability he needed to pursue his career. She was his cheerleader, encouraging him to create music that resonated deeply with him.
Brian referred to Melinda as his “anchor.” The couple had five children together – Dakota, Daria, Delanie, Dylan, and Dash. Brian, who was once a model, expressed the family’s grief, saying they are “just in tears.” The 81-year-old musician wrote, “We are lost. She was our everything.”
In a separate statement, the couple’s children paid tribute to their mother. They described Melinda as a “force of nature” and “one of the strongest women you could come across.” They saw her as more than just a model, their father’s savior, and a mother.
Melinda was a woman driven by her spirit, with a mission to uplift everyone she encountered. “We will miss her but cherish everything she has taught us,” they expressed. They learned from her how to care for others without expecting anything in return, how to find beauty in the darkest of places, and how to live life authentically, with honesty and pride.
