Wayne Osmond’s miraculous recovery from a near-fatal brain tumor in 1997 allowed him to live a full life before his passing on Wednesday at the age of 73.
The musician, best known as a member of The Osmonds alongside his brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Jimmy, and Donny, died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a stroke, his family confirmed.
Osmond had been diagnosed with a brain tumor as a child, but it wasn’t until the 1990s, while performing on tour, that life-threatening symptoms began to emerge.
‘I couldn’t play my saxophone anymore because my head would start throbbing. And my knees would fall out from under me when I was on stage,’ he recalled in a 2004 interview with Coping magazine.
Days after his collapse on stage, doctors discovered that the tumor had grown dangerously large, leading to a 17-hour surgery.
After six weeks of radiation, Osmond received astonishing news from his doctor.
Wayne Osmond’s miraculous recovery from a near-fatal brain tumor in 1997 allowed him to live a full and meaningful life before his passing on Wednesday at the age of 73; (seen in 2008)
The musician, best known as a member of The Osmonds alongside his brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Jimmy, and Donny, died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a stroke, his family confirmed; (seen in 1972)
‘When you first came here and we looked at your MRI, we started calling you Dead Man Walking,’ he recalled the doctor saying. ‘But now, we’re going to start calling you the Miracle Baby—your cancer is gone.’
Wayne made a remarkable recovery after his treatment.
‘I went back to performing six months after I was diagnosed,’ he recalled to the outlet. ‘I wore my cowboy hat on stage since all of my hair had fallen out from radiation. But after a while, it grew back.’
Osmond reflected on his cancer experience as a life-changing moment.
‘It really opened up my eyes. It made me realize that life really is important,’ he told Coping.
The passing of The Osmonds legend was confirmed by his family in an emotional statement to KTVX.
‘Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,’ the family’s statement, shared with local ABC affiliate KTVX, read.
‘His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.
Osmond had been diagnosed with a brain tumor as a child, but it wasn’t until 1994, while performing on tour, that life-threatening symptoms began to emerge; (seen in 2008)
Days after his collapse on stage, doctors discovered that the tumor had grown dangerously large, leading to a 17-hour surgery … and after six weeks of radiation, Osmond received astonishing news from his doctor; seen in 1972
‘When you first came here and we looked at your MRI, we started calling you Dead Man Walking,’ Wayne recalled the doctor saying. ‘But now, we’re going to start calling you the Miracle Baby—your cancer is gone.’(pictured: Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond of the 1970s variety show Donny & Marie)
‘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.’
Merrill Osmond revealed that his brother had ‘a massive stroke,’ adding that upon hearing the news, he immediately drove to the hospital and ‘was able to say [his] goodbyes.’
The Utah native was the second-oldest of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth oldest of the nine Osmond children.
Wayne’s famous siblings include Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond, stars of the 1970s variety show Donny & Marie.
Wayne is the first of the Osmond siblings to pass away.