Beach Boys' Brian Wilson Is a Father of 7: Meet His Kids

Brian Wilson, who rose to fame as cofounder of the 1960s rock band the Beach Boys, is a father of seven children from his two past relationships.

The singer, now 81, welcomed his first daughter, Carnie Wilson, in 1968 and his second daughter, Wendy Wilson, in 1969 with his ex-wife Marilyn Wilson.

After they divorced in 1979, he later found love with Melinda Ledbetter, whom he married in 1995 after dating on and off for years. Together, they adopted five children: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.

In January, Melinda died at age 77, and his family filed for a conservatorship over Wilson, reportedly stating that he suffers from a “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia),” per court filings. Closer takes a look at his family.

Carnie Wilson

Carnie was born in Los Angeles on April 29, 1968. Like her father, she is also a singer. She co-founded the pop music trio Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy and childhood friend Chynna Phillips (the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas) when they were teenagers. They released two albums, Wilson Phillips and Shadows and Light, before going their separate ways in 1993.

Carnie married musician and producer Robert Bonfiglio in 2000, and they later welcomed children Lola and Luciana. In March 2013, Carnie shared that she had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Just wanted you all 2 know that I have Bell’s Palsy on lf side of face right now. Scary, unfortunate, but it goes away. A challenge! Love u.”

Wendy Wilson

Born October 16, 1969, Wendy is a singer, songwriter and television personality. In a 2020 Kelly Clarkson Show appearance alongside sister Carnie and their other Wilson Phillips member, Chynna, Wendy described their childhood upbringing as “chaos,” saying: “That was our normal.” She added, “But it was exciting, too.”

Carnie explained that their mother tried to maintain normalcy in their household. “She was really great at keeping it steady and being real about things,” Carnie said of Marilyn. “Not everything is normal and what is normal? Building our self-esteem as people and showing us love, and now we instill that in our kids.”

Wendy married record producer and sound engineer Daniel Knutson in May 2002, and the couple shares four sons: Leo Evan, Beau Alexander and twins Will Hunter and Jesse Miles.

Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash

Though little is known about Wilson’s five adopted children with Melinda, the couple opened up to Larry King in a 2004 interview about why they chose to adopt. “Why not?” Melinda told King. “About a year into our marriage, we decided that we wanted children, and we didn’t get married until I was 48, so we decided that we would adopt.”

“I was thrilled to be able to do it,” Wilson added.

Last year, after Taylor Swift was announced as TIME‘s Person of the Year, Wilson shared a throwback photo of himself, Melinda and some of their children meeting the Tortured Poets Department artist backstage in 2009 at a Fearless Tour stop at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2009.

Melinda’s Death

On January 30, Wilson announced his wife’s death, saying that he and their five children were “just in tears” over the loss. Alongside a carousel of photos, Wilson wrote, “My heart is broken. Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning.”

He added, “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.”

In the same post, the children said, “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. 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.”

Filing for Conservatorship

After Melinda died on Jan. 30, Wilson’s family sought for a conservatorship over him. On February 15, a statement was posted to Wilson’s account on behalf of the family, explaining the current state of affairs.

“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person,” the statement read. “This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family. Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.”