Wayne Osmond dead at 73, with family issuing heartbreaking statement
Wayne Osmond died at the age of 73, and his family issued a heartfelt statement about losing the star. It read: "His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly."
He reportedly died on January 1, 2025, according to US news publications. His cause of death has not been announced publicly, and OK! Magazine has reached out to his representatives.
Tributes have been pouring in for the musician following the news, with many taking to social media to share their condolences. One fan wrote: "Rip Wayne Osmond. All my thoughts, love and prayers go out to his lovely wife Kathy, their children and the whole of the Osmond Family."
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Another added: "Condolences to The Osmonds for their loss." A third added: "I’m absolutely stricken to hear that Wayne Osmond has died at the age of 73. I had the privilege of meeting him several times. His family had a profound impact in my life. My condolences to the rest of the Osmond family."
Meanwhile, a fourth said: "R.I.P. Wayne Osmond. I've been an Osmonds fan for many, many years and was listening to the greatest hits today and just heard the sad news. Thank you for many years of great songs." Someone else noted: "I am very sad to hear that Wayne Osmond has passed away at the age of 73 my thoughts are with my friend @merrillosmond and all the Osmond family RIP WAYNE."
Wayne, from Utah, was the second-oldest of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth-oldest of the nine Osmond children. He married Kathlyn White, also from Utah, in 1974. She was a former Miss Davis Country Fair and Miss Utah.
They had five children together - three daughters and two sons. Wayne's struggled with his health over the decades, and he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1997. It was successfully treated, but the treatment left him almost completely deaf.
Years later, in 2012, he suffered a stroke which left him unable to play the guitar.
Wayne and his siblings found fame as children, and they were household names in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like Love Me For A Reason and Crazy Horses. They thrilled fans in 2007 when they announced they'd be embarking on a European tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their careers.
However, in 2023, Donny, who is perhaps the most famous of the brothers, left fans disappointed by saying the group would not be reforming.
During a chat on the Just Trish podcast, the 65-year-old singer said he would be "incorporating AI" into his 2024 shows.
When asked if he'd bring his actual brothers on stage, he quipped, "That's the end of this conversation." In response to Trisha Paytas asking if Donny would ever do a reunion Tour, he stated: "I don't think so. Everyone's retired."
