Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder and creative mastermind behind The Beach Boys, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. His family confirmed the news through a statement shared on his official Instagram account and website, though they did not disclose a specific medical cause of death.
In recent years, Wilson’s health had been in significant decline. In early 2024, shortly after the death of his wife, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, he was diagnosed with a major neurocognitive disorder—a form of dementia that severely impacted his memory, reasoning, and daily functioning. As a result, a Los Angeles court appointed a conservatorship in May 2024, concluding that Wilson could no longer manage his own health, medication, or personal care. The role of conservator was given to his longtime publicist, Jean Sievers, and his manager, LeeAnn Hard.
While this diagnosis provides important context, the family has not publicly confirmed whether the neurocognitive disorder was the direct cause of his death. Media reports and obituaries similarly do not mention a specific condition such as organ failure or an acute medical event. Instead, they reference his previously known cognitive decline and the impact it had on his quality of life.
At this time, without an official medical report or further details from the family, the precise cause of Brian Wilson’s death remains undisclosed. However, the late-stage complications of his dementia-like illness are widely believed to have played a central role.
Brian Wilson’s passing marks the end of a monumental chapter in American music history. From the sun-drenched harmonies of “Surfin’ U.S.A.” to the orchestral brilliance of Pet Sounds, Wilson’s influence on pop and rock music is immeasurable. Though his final years were marked by illness and withdrawal from public life, his legacy continues to shine as brightly as ever.
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