Wayne Osmond, one of the original members of the family band The Osmonds, passed away at the age of 73 on January 1, 2025, according to his family.
Donny, who is 67, shared on Instagram, “My beloved brother Wayne left us peacefully last night after suffering a stroke. I feel so thankful that I got to see him in the hospital before he went. Wayne filled the lives of everyone around him with joy, laughter, and love, especially mine. He was always so positive and was cherished by all.”
Merrill Osmond, Wayne Osmond’s brother, described his late sibling as a musical genius who could touch the hearts of millions and help them feel closer to God. He added that Wayne was one of the most humble people he had ever known, completely genuine and always ready to forgive. Wayne had a special talent for showing unconditional love to everyone he encountered.
A per the family members, Wayne Osmond died of a stroke.
Jay Osmond, who is 69 years old, shared a heartfelt message about his brother Wayne, calling him “a true legend.”
“I am really sad about losing my brother Wayne. They say that when there is a lot of love, there is also a lot of sadness when we have to say goodbye on this journey of life,” Jay expressed. “Out of all my siblings, I always felt the closest to Wayne. He was not just my brother but also my roommate and my best friend for many years.”
Wayne Osmond was born on August 28, 1949, in Ogden, Utah, and he was the fourth of nine children. His music career began in the 1960s when he and his brothers appeared on The Andy Williams Show.
The band that Wayne and his siblings created, The Osmonds, became super famous all around the world in the 1970s. They had popular songs like One Bad Apple, Crazy Horses, and Love Me for a Reason.
The members turned into teen idols, and fans went wild for every new single, album, and concert, which led to a craze called Osmondmania.
Wayne Osmond didn’t just perform; he also helped write songs for the group. He wrote many favorite tracks, including some from The Plan, a cool concept album that was inspired by their beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wayne was married to Kathlyn Louise White, who used to be Miss Utah. Together, they had five kids.
Wayne faced some serious health challenges in his life. Back in 1997, doctors found out he had a brain tumor. Despite this tough situation, he showed amazing strength and managed to overcome the illness.
He still played music from time to time.
In 2012, he suffered a stroke that made it hard for him to play the guitar anymore.
Many fans and fellow artists honored him for the huge influence he had on the music world. May he rest in peace.
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