- Brian Wilson, member of the Beach Boys, mourns the death of his wife Melinda Kae Ledbetter, whom he describes as his savior and anchor. They were married for 28 years and have five adopted children together.
- No details about Melinda’s death were immediately available, but their children released a heartfelt statement praising their mother’s strength, spirit, and impact on their lives.
- Brian and Melinda first met in 1986, with Brian being captivated by her beauty and Melinda being drawn to Brian’s kind nature. They got married in 1995 after several years of dating.
Additional Coverage:
Brian Wilson, member of the Beach Boys, is mourning the death of his wife Melinda Kae Ledbetter, whom he married in 1995. The 81-year-old pop star took to Instagram on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, to honor Melinda and remember her as his “savior.” Alongside a black and white portrait of Melinda, as well as a photo of the couple together, Brian wrote, “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.”
Brian expressed that Melinda was more than just his wife, she was his savior who gave him emotional security and encouraged him to create music that was true to his heart. He described her as his anchor and expressed how she meant everything to their family. Brian asked for prayers for Melinda and signed off the post with “Love and Mercy, Brian.”
No further details about Melinda’s death were immediately available, but in a statement released by the couple’s children, it was mentioned that she passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning. Brian and Melinda had adopted five children together – daughters Daria, Delanie, and Dakota, and sons Dylan and Dash.
The Wilson children expressed their sadness and praised their mother in a heartfelt message. They described her as a force of nature and one of the strongest women they knew. They spoke of her as a role model, their father’s savior, and a nurturing mother. They said that Melinda was empowered by her spirit and had a mission to make a positive impact on everyone she touched. The children expressed their gratitude for the lessons she taught them, including how to care for others selflessly and find beauty in difficult circumstances. They ended the statement by declaring their love for their mom.
Brian and Melinda got married in 1995 after dating for several years. They first met in 1986 when Melinda was working at a Cadillac dealership in Los Angeles. Brian was captivated by her beauty and recalled their initial encounter in an interview, saying, “I remember meeting her at her dealership, Cadillac, and I said, ‘God, she’s a pretty girl.’ ‘That’s a pretty girl.'” Melinda was drawn to Brian’s kind nature and described it as the aspect that attracted her to him.