The family of Brian Wilson, co-founder and primary songwriter of the Beach Boys, has filed for a conservatorship after the death of the musician’s wife last month. The filing states that Wilson, 81, is suffering from a “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia).”
“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 family wrote in a post on Instagram late Thursday.
“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,” the statement continues.
ned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram/p/C3ZDH5quTmI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">A post shared by Brian Wilson (@brianwilsonlive)
Ramos is Wilson’s housekeeper, according to People, which first published the news.
Wilson’s family added that the legendary musician can still “enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.”
In the court filing, cited by People and Rolling Stone, Wilson’s team says that he is “unable to properly provide for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.”
While conservatorships have taken on a sinister air in the wake of Britney Spears’ allegations of impropriety by her father and others during his 13-year oversight of her life and career, Wilson has struggled with mental health for decades. During the 1980s he fell under the influence of psychologist Eugene Landy, who the singer credited with assisting his recovery, but who engineered songwriting credits for himself and his wife on Wilson’s 1987 comeback album and acted as his business manager, among other duties. Landy’s medical license was revoked by the state of California in 1989; he continued to act as Wilson’s business partner for three more years until a restraining order was issued.
Wilson’s wife, Melinda, whom he married in 1995 and called his “savior,” died on Jan. 30 at 77. According to the court documents, she “attended to Mr. Wilson’s daily living needs, as Mr. Wilson is unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.” Wilson had an Advance Health Care Directive that named her the “agent” for his health care.
Since the directive did not list a successor to Melinda, Wilson’s team asked the court to appoint a conservator, proposing Sievers and Hard. The documents state that Wilson would be unable to attend a court hearing. “He is easily distracted, often even when aware of surroundings, and its purpose,” his doctor wrote. “Often makes spontaneous irrelevant or incoherent utterances. Has very short attention span and while unintentionally disruptive, is frequently unable to maintain decorum appropriate to the situation.” His doctor added that Wilson is taking medication that slows the “progression of illness.”
Wilson gave mostly one or two-word answers in a 2021 interview with PvNew regarding the documentary on his life, “Long Promised Road.”
A court hearing is scheduled for April 26.
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