What did Brian Wilson say after late wife Melinda Ledbetter's death? Singer's emotional tribute revisited

On June 11, 2025, the founding member of the Beach Boys and one of pop music's most beloved figures, Brian Wilson, died at 82.

Just over a year prior, Brian Wilson suffered the death of his wife, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson. Brian made an Instagram post to share his grief, which was evident in the heartfelt tribute he shared at the time.

Now, in the wake of his passing, many have turned back to that Instagram post.

On January 31, 2024, after Melinda died at the age of 77, Brian Wilson wrote on Instagram:

"My heart is broken... Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior."

Brian Wilson's emotional tribute after his wife Melinda Ledbetter's passing

For Brian Wilson, whose battles with mental illness and legal struggles had been public, Melinda offered stability and support. She gave him, as Brian described, "the emotional security I needed to have a career".

Wilson referred to Ledbetter as "a partner who’s also a best friend" in an interview with People in 1988. The couple celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary in 2023. Brian Wilson reflected on all these in the Instagram post, which read as follows:

"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. Melinda was more than my wife. She was my savior. 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. Love and Mercy. Brian."

The concluding part of the post was from Melinda Ledbetter's children:

"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. She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by. She was not only a model, our fathers savior, and a mother, she was a woman empowered by her spirit with a mission to better everyone she touched."

They also talked about qualities they've learnt from their mother. They added,

"We will miss her but cherish everything she has taught us. How to take care of the person next to you with out 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. We love you mom. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love."

Brian Wilson and Melinda's love story inspired a biopic, Love & Mercy (2015). John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks starred as Brian and Melinda, respectively.

Brian and Melinda first met in 1986. According to reports, Wilson walked into a Cadillac dealership where Melinda was working. Wilson later recalled thinking, according to a 2015 interview with ABC News:

"God, she's a pretty girl. That's a pretty girl"

They got married on February 6, 1995. Brian Wilson, according to a report by People, was the father of seven children: two daughters with Marilyn Wilson and five children, whom he ended up adopting with Ledbetter.

May Brian and Melinda's souls rest in peace.

Also Read: Seether x Daughtry 2025 co-headline tour: Presale code, dates, venues, and more explored

Trending

T-Pain 20th anniversary 2025 tour: Presale code, dates, venues, and more explored

Lil Wayne 2025 'Tha Carter VI' tour: Presale code, dates, venues, and more explored

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback