Who is Grace Vanderwaal’s mother? Singer mourns mom Tina Vanderwaal’s death following battle with cancer

Grace VanderWaal is mourning her mother, Tina VanderWaal’s death, following her longtime battle with breast cancer.

The America’s Got Talent winner took to her Instagram to share a tribute to her mother. Sharing a carousel of pictures, she wrote:

“Can’t yet find the words. I love you mommy. So much. I wake up and want to call you. I don’t know how to move forward without you. I love you.”

Grace VanderWaal’s mother, Tina, was a silversmith and glass artist and lived on an island off the coast of South Carolina. In September 2025, a post shared on her Instagram account mentioned, "Radiation 2 done…8 more to go!" She was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in June 2024.

Tina’s passing has brought increased attention to Grace’s parents’ lives. Here are more details.

All you need to know about Grace VanderWaal’s parents

Grace VanderWaal recently shared a heartwarming tribute for her mother, Tina VanderWaal, who passed away on October 20, 2025, after a 17-month battle with breast cancer.

Born Grace Avery VanderWaal on January 15, 2004, in Lenexa, Kansas, USA, Grace is a music artist and actress. She is known for Megalopolis (2024), Stargirl (2020), and Grace VanderWaal: CHILDSTAR: Final Act (2025).

She rose to fame after winning the eleventh season of America's Got Talent in 2016 at the age of 12. She released her debut EP titled Perfectly Imperfect in 2016.

Her parents, Tina VanderWaal and David VanderWaal, played a significant role in her career. Her late mother, in particular, was more than just a guiding figure who always had her back. She provided her unwavering support and love. She also has an older brother, Jakob VanderWall, and an older sister, Olivia VanderWaal.

Grace VanderWaal’s father, Dave, has served as the Vice President of Marketing at LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc. since February 2015. He also served as its U.S. Head of Marketing since July 2014. Remembering his wife’s “beautiful life and love,” he shared an emotional Facebook post. It read:

“It’s hard to find the words to adequately express our family sorrow, but I want to share the sad news that our beloved Tina VanderWaal -“Superwife” and Mother “extraordinaire” - passed over to the Lord’s hands last night, October 20.”

Calling her a “fighter” to the end of her 17-month-long battle with cancer, he shared that she always had a positive perspective on life. He went on to add that they had been married for “27 wonderful years.” During their time together as husband and wife, they were blessed with three children, including Grace VanderWaal, and her siblings, Jakob and Olivia.

Dave added:

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“Tina truly was the heart of our family, filling our lives with creativity, laughter, and love. Whether she was designing beautiful jewelry, teaching others to discover their creative spirit, or making every holiday and family moment special, she brought light and joy to everything she touched.”

In his concluding message, Grace VanderWaal’s father shared that he will be sharing a Celebration page in memory of Tina, where people can honor her life. He said they could also make a voluntary contribution to a cancer organization in her memory.

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