Wayne Osmond’s miraculous recovery from a near-fatal brain tumor in 1997 allowed him to live a full life before he passed away Wednesday at the age of 73.
The musician, best known as a member of The Osmonds along with 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 the saxophone anymore because my head was starting to hurt. And my knees fell out when I was on stage,” he recalled in a 2004 interview with Coping magazine.
Days after his collapse on stage, doctors discovered the tumor had grown dangerously large, leading to a 17-hour surgery.
After six weeks of radiation, Osmond received surprising 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 along with his brothers Alan, Merrill, Jay, Jimmy and Donny, died peacefully in his sleep after suffering a stroke, his family confirmed; (seen in 1972)
“When he first came here and we looked at his MRI, we started calling him Dead Man Walking,” he recalled the doctor telling him. “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 returned to acting six months after I was diagnosed,” he recalled to the outlet. ‘I wore my cowboy hat on stage as all my hair had fallen out due to radiation. But after a while it grew again.”
Osmond reflected on his experience with cancer as a life-changing moment.
‘It really opened my eyes. “It made me realize that life really is important,” he told Coping.
The Osmonds legend’s passing 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,” read the family statement, shared with local ABC affiliate KTVX.
‘His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter has influenced the lives of many people around the world.
Osmond had been diagnosed with a brain tumor as a child, but it was not 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 surprising 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 from the ’70s variety show Donny & Marie)
‘He would like 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 her brother suffered “a massive stroke,” adding that upon hearing the news, she immediately drove to the hospital and “was able to say goodbye.”
The Utah native was the second oldest of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth oldest of Osmond’s nine children.
Wayne’s famous siblings include Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond, stars of the ’70s variety show Donny & Marie.
Wayne is the first of the Osmond brothers to die.