Brian Wilson, the iconic frontman of The Beach Boys, recently shared the devastating news of his wife Melinda Ledbetter’s passing.
The 81-year-old musician took to social media on Tuesday to express his grief, posting a heartfelt message on X, formerly known as Twitter. “It breaks my heart. This morning, my beloved wife of 28 years, Melinda, passed away,” he wrote.He continued, “All five of our kids and I are in tears. We’re lost. Melinda was more than just my wife—she saved my life. With her by my side, I felt secure enough to pursue my career. She encouraged me to create the music that mattered to me. She was my rock, doing everything for us with an unstoppable strength. She was one of the strongest women you could ever meet.”
Brian went on to describe Melinda as a woman of deep spirit and purpose, dedicated to uplifting everyone around her. “We will miss her dearly, but we will always carry with us the lessons she taught,” he shared. He reflected on the values she instilled: caring for others selflessly, finding beauty in tough times, and embracing individuality. “We love you, Mom. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love,” he concluded.
His post was accompanied by a photo of a young Melinda and another of the couple together.
Fans quickly flooded the comments with messages of love and support. “We love you, Brian,” one fan wrote. “So sorry for your loss.” Another added, “Sending you so much love. May you always feel her presence and find the strength to carry on.” Many expressed their shock and sorrow, with one fan saying, “I’m heartbroken to hear about Melinda’s passing. I can’t imagine your pain.”
Brian and Melinda’s love story began in 1986 when she sold him a Cadillac. They dated on and off for three years before reconnecting by chance in Los Angeles in 1992. The couple married in 1995 and had five children together: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash.
In a 1998 interview with People, Brian described his relationship with Melinda as unlike any he had ever experienced, calling her both a partner and a best friend.
Their relationship was portrayed in the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, which chronicles Brian’s battles with mental illness, his tumultuous relationship with his controlling therapist Dr. Eugene Landy, and how Melinda helped him break free from Landy’s influence. Brian was portrayed by Paul Dano and John Cusack, while Elizabeth Banks played Melinda. The Wilson family famously sued Dr. Landy for “undue influence” and won the case in 1992.
