Beach Boys: Brian Wilson's children say their 'survivor' dad is doing great

23 May 2024, 14:34 | Updated: 23 May 2024, 17:25

Brian Wilson sheds light on his process

It's been a tough time for former Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson.

Brian Wilson has had a difficult year so far, following the death of his wife Melinda in January.

The Beach Boys legend had described Melinda as his "saviour" and soon after her passing, it emerged that his family was seeking to place him under conservatorship as he battled dementia.

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Nevertheless, Brian's daughters have said that their dad is doing well at the moment and that he's taking care of his health and spending time with his loved ones.

"He is doing great! He is doing great," Carnie Wilson told ET, speaking at the premiere of Disney+ The Beach Boys documentary at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

"Everyday he is in physical therapy. I'm cooking for him, he's spending a lot of time with his children now, his family. I'm so happy he's here tonight."

Wendy Wilson, Brian's other daughter from his first marriage to Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, added: "I think he's doing really good under the circumstances that he's going through right now.

"But, you know, he's a survivor. That's my dad. He's very tough, a very strong person.

"So yeah, I'm glad that he's coming tonight and I think that he'll really enjoy it, actually."

When Brian was taken into the cinema for the film, he was given a standing ovation by those in attendance. At the premiere, Wilson reunited with fellow Beach Boys Al Jardine, David Marks, Frank Marshall, Blondie Chaplin, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston.

Brian was married to Marilyn Rovell from 1964 till their split in 1979. Brian Wilson married Melinda Ledbetter in 1995.

At that time he had only recently extricated himself from his association with controversial psychiatrist Eugene Landy.

The Beach Boys | Streaming May 24 | Disney+

Brian and Melinda had previously dated in the 1980s, but their relationship was said to have floundered due to interference from Landy.

When Brian parted ways with Landy, the couple reconciled and in 1999 she also became Brian's manager.

He helped to reignite his career, with Wilson undertaking much larger tours and even recording a string of studio albums over the last two decades. The couple adopted five children together.