Donny and Marie Osmond’s Brother Wayne Dead at 73 After Stroke

Donny and Marie Osmond‘s brother Wayne Osmond has died at age 73.

The singers’ brother Merrill Osmond shared the news of Wayne’s death in a Facebook post on Thursday, January 2. Wayne died one day prior in Salt Lake City after suffering “a massive stroke,” the social media post read.

“My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave as an even greater saint than he came in,” Merrill’s post continued. “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute [sic] no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.

He added, “His departure from this earth will be a sad moment for some, but for those who are waiting for him on the other side, there will be a massive celebration beyond anything we can imagine.”

Merrill, 71, wrote that Wayne “endured much” during his life.

“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,” Merrill added. “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.”

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Wayne was a member of The Osmonds alongside Donny, 67, Merrill and two of their other brothers, Alan and Jay. (The Osmond family also includes Virl, Tom, Marie and Jimmy.)

A statement released by the Osmond family on Thursday shared that Wayne died on Wednesday, January 1, and was surrounded by his wife, Kathlyn White, and their five children.

“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world,” the statement continued. “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.”

Wayne reached the height of his fame in the 1970s while performing alongside his brothers. He relocated from his native Utah to Missouri in the 1990s and suffered several health issues over the years. Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997, which severely impacted his hearing. Prior to his death, he also suffered a stroke in 2012. Wayne’s last appearance with the rest of the Osmond family was in 2018.