Carnie Wilson breaks silence on dad Brian’s death with emotional tribute: 'Never felt this kind of pain'

Carnie Wilson’s daughter also paid tribute on social media, sharing a photo of Brian holding her as a baby by the piano
PUBLISHED JUN 13, 2025
Carnie Wilson wrote a heartbreaking post about her father Brian Wilson, who died at the age of 82 (Getty Images)
Carnie Wilson wrote a heartbreaking post about her father Brian Wilson, who died at the age of 82 (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Carnie Wilson is grieving the loss of her father, The Beach Boys' co-founder Brian Wilson, who died at the age of 82.

The 'Wilson Phillips' singer posted an emotional tribute on Instagram following the news of his death.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Carnie Wilson (@carnie68)


 

Carnie Wilson pays heartbreaking tribute to father Brian Wilson

In her post, Carnie Wilson shared a touching message with a throwback photo of herself, her sister Wendy Wilson, and their father. “I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now,” she wrote.

“My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body,” Carnie continued in the caption.

Carnie Wilson (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images,)
Carnie Wilson attends the unveiling of 'Mama' Cass Elliott honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame posthumously on October 03, 2022, in Hollywood, California (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

“He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always," she wrote.

Carnie added that she’s “never felt this kind of pain before,” mourning the late music legend.

Wilson’s family confirmed his death in a joint statement on Wednesday, June 12.

Brian Wilson’s granddaughter, Lola Bonfiglio, says he 'changed the world' with music

Carnie Wilson also shared how she believed her father was now at peace.

“But I know he’s resting up there in heaven,” she wrote, “or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom."

"I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy … I miss [you so much] already,” she concluded her message.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Lola Bonfiglio (@lola.bonfiglio)


 

Her daughter, Lola Bonfiglio, also posted a tribute with a baby photo of herself sitting with Brian Wilson at the piano.

“I love you grandpa. you changed the world. you have left an invaluable mark on me and so many others and i am blessed to have had you in my life,” wrote Bonfiglio. “i will forever do music in your honor. rest in music paradise.”

Brian Wilson and Al Jardine attend the world premiere of Disney+ documentary
Brian Wilson and Al Jardine attend the world premiere of Disney+ documentary 'The Beach Boys' at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on May 21, 2024 (Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

Brian Wilson’s daughters once wrote a song to reconnect after estrangement

Brian Wilson shared Carnie and Wendy Wilson, both 55, with his first wife, Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, whom he was married to from 1964 to 1979. The sisters formed the pop group 'Wilson Phillips 'with Chynna Phillips in 1989.

Musician Brian Wilson, founding member of The Beach Boys, performs onstage at The Kia Forum on June 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Brian Wilson, founding member of The Beach Boys, performs onstage at The Kia Forum on June 09, 2022, in Inglewood, California (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

During the height of his fame, Brian became reclusive and struggled with his mental health, leading to estrangement from Carnie and Wendy. In 1992, they wrote the song 'Flesh and Blood' for Brian in hopes of reconnecting with him, according to New York Post.



 

Following the death of his second wife, Melinda Kae Ledbetter, in 2024 at age 77, Brian’s family filed for conservatorship, revealing that he was suffering from dementia.

Musician Brian Wilson and Melinda Ledbetter attend the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
Musician Brian Wilson and Melinda Ledbetter attend the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California (John Shearer/Getty Images)

Brian also adopted five children with Melinda, whom he was married to from 1995 until her death.

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