The Beach Boys founding member Brian Wilson, whose death was announced on June 11, married Melinda Ledbetter in 1995. The couple had a decades-long love story before both of their deaths.

Years before his death, Brian was married to Melinda, who he met at a car dealership in the 1980s. The pair wed in 1995 and remained together for nearly three decades, until Melinda died on Jan. 30, 2024.

During their marriage, Brian and Melinda welcomed five children together via adoption: Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash. Brian also had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, from his first marriage.

They Met at a Car Dealership in 1986

• Brian first met Melinda when she was working as a saleswoman in 1986.
• Melinda sold Brian a car, a brown Cadillac Seville, to be exact.
• Brian told ABC News in 2015, "I remember meeting her at her dealership, Cadillac, and I said, 'God, she's a pretty girl. That's a pretty girl.' "
• Melinda told the outlet she liked Brian's personality, saying, "That's what attracted me to him."

Melinda told Larry King in 2004, "I knew of the Beach Boys, but I really didn't know that Brian was the genius behind the Beach Boys."

They Dated On and Off Before Rekindling Their Relationship in 1992

Melinda and Brian started dating in 1986. However, their budding romance was cut short due to Brian's complicated relationship with his therapist and legal guardian, Dr. Eugene Landy.

According to Melinda, after three years of dating, Landy "decided [they] were getting too close."

Melinda told King in 2004, "I wasn't allowed to call my family or friends at all, for nine years."

Brian added, "I was driving down Pico Boulevard one day and I nearly ran over him," Melinda told Rolling Stone of their chance encounter.

They Married in 1995

After reconnecting in 1992, Melinda and Brian wed in California on Feb. 6, 1995.

Brian said after the ceremony, referencing his Beach Boys hit song "Good Vibrations," "The vibrations in that chapel were so wonderful."

Brian's daughters Carnie and Wendy performed one of their dad's most iconic songs, "God Only Knows," during the ceremony.

Melinda Served as Brian's Manager

In 1999, Melinda became Brian's manager, taking charge of all his bookings.

Melinda told Rolling Stone in 1999, "It's basically negotiating, and that's what I did every single day when I sold cars."

Before Melinda took the managerial reins, Landy was Brian's manager, and Melinda told Rolling Stone his control over the Beach Boys singer reached a parental level.

They Welcomed Five Children Together

Brian and Melinda welcomed five children through adoption during their 28 years of marriage: Dylan, Dash, Daria, Delanie, and Dakota Rose.

Brian also previously welcomed two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, with his first wife, Marilyn.

Read more about Brian Wilson's 7 children: The Beach Boys Legend's Daughters and Sons

Also, check out Nancy Sinatra Pays Tribute to Brian Wilson After the Beach Boys Co-Founder's Death

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