Just a few days ago, on January 30th, Brian Wilson (Inglewood, California, 81 years old), founder of the band Beach Boys, signed some moving farewell words to his wife via his Instagram account: “My heart is broken.” Melinda, mine beloved wife of 28 years, left us this morning. Our five children and I didn't stop crying. We are lost. Melinda was much more than my wife. She was my savior. It gave me the emotional security I needed for my career. He supported me in making the music that was close to my heart. It was my anchor. It was everything for us. Please pray for them.” This was an unusual publication in Wilson's report, as he does not normally sign anything that appears there. His social network profile, like that of many other artists, is not managed by Wilson himself, but by a team that informs about his projects, shares articles that appear in the press about him or the emblematic American band, and publishes photos and videos Performances from times long past to the delight of their fans.
Just a few hours ago, it was the Wilson family who published a statement on the composer and singer's account informing them that they had requested legal guardianship of the artist: “Following the death of Melinda, Brian's beloved wife, after careful consideration and consultation between Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos [su cuidadora] “and Brian's doctors (and in accordance with the family processes implemented by Brian and Melinda), we confirm that LeeAnn, long-time representative of the Wilson family, Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as co-guardians on Brian's person,” they explained through The publication. “This decision was made to ensure that there are no major changes to the home and that Brian and the children living at the home are cared for and remain in the home, where they will be cared for by Gloria Ramos and a wonderful facility.” “Brian will be in be able to enjoy all of his family and friends, continue to work on current projects and participate in any activity of his choice.”
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According to court documents regarding the guardianship application, obtained by various American media outlets, Wilson is “unable to give informed consent for the administration of appropriate medications for the care and treatment of significant neurocognitive disorders (including dementia).” And the Beach Boys' leader is described as someone who is “unable to adequately meet his personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.” A doctor states in the filing that Wilson cannot attend his guardianship hearing because he “frequently makes spontaneous, irrelevant or incoherent statements, has a very short attention span and is frequently unable to maintain decorum appropriate to the situation.” “. “This hearing is scheduled for April 26 and will determine whether the family receives approval for their application.
Brian and Melinda Wilson were married for 28 years. They would have celebrated their 29th birthday on February 6, 2024. It was she who took care of her husband's needs in recent years. This is what the singer wanted, having appointed Melinda as his primary carer and guardian in a living will. However, the perfectly competent Brian didn't seem to think that his wife would go before him, and so he hadn't named anyone to replace her. That's why the family suggests Sievers and Hard as co-guardians because “they have had a close relationship with the Wilsons for years and Mr. Wilson trusts them.”
“She was my savior.” Brian Wilson met Melinda Ledbetter, a former model, in 1986 at a Cadillac dealership where she was working as a saleswoman. He did not go alone, but accompanied by his psychiatrist Eugene Landy, with whom he had been under treatment, with his comings and goings since 1975. Wilson, who had been hearing voices in his head since he was 20, says in his memoirs: ” I am Brian Wilson… and you are not” (Malpaso y Cia, 2019) had also developed a variety of addictions (to drugs, alcohol and junk food) that led his family and friends to seek professional help. Unfortunately the remedy was worse. Landy saw in his patient a golden opportunity and decided to make the most of it: he earned a steady salary during the years of treatment, isolated the artist from his family and friends and, in addition, became his partner, producer and beneficiary of many of his activities, including the rights to part of his work.
After meeting at this dealer and after a few months of seeing Dr. After discussing Landy's objections, Melinda filed the Wilson case for the first time in California law. Nothing could be done since the future Mrs. Wilson still had no family relationship with the musician, but this was the seed that made possible Wilson's physical, mental and economic liberation from the clutches of his psychiatrist, who was eventually dismissed from the profession and in 1991 an interim injunction was obtained.
Brian and Melinda married in 1995 and adopted five children (Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash). Brian already had two daughters from his previous marriage to Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, whom he divorced in 1979, Carnie and Wendy Wilson.