Wayne Osmond's Cause of Death Revealed as Family Members Pay Tribute: 'He Was the Ultimate Optimist'

Mar. 15, 2025

They revealed that he died on Jan. 1 in Salt Lake City after suffering a stroke. He was 73 years old.

Wayne Osmond in Las Vegas in March 2008.Ethan Miller/Getty

Ethan Miller/Getty

Donny concluded the post writing, “I love you, Wayne. Your brother forever.”

“I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met,” Merrill wrote, calling his death a “sad moment.”

He continued: “My brother Wayne endured much. He gave it his all. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God. I will miss him tremendously. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of heavenly father‘s greatest sons. Until I see him again, know that he was loved.”

Jay, 69, also shared aFacebook tribute, calling brother “a true legend.”

“My heart is deeply saddened for the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love there is great grief as we part during our earthly journey,” Jay wrote. “Throughout my life I have always felt most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings. He was my roommate and my confidant over the decades.”

At the time, a rep for Wayne did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Wayne sang in a barbershop quartet with his older brother Alan and younger brothers Merrill and Jay. They first formed in 1958 for their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Ogden, Utah. Eventually, they went their separate ways.

In 1974, Wayne married Kathlyn White, a former pageant queen. They welcomed five children together.

Over the years, he experienced a series of issues with his health. In 1997, Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost nearly all of his hearing as a result of the treatment. He also had a stroke that left him unable to play guitar in 2012.

source: people.com