Cheryl Strayed Mourns Loss of Husband Brian Lindstrom After Rare Brain Disorder

Cheryl Strayed, the celebrated author of Wild, announced the death of her husband, Brian Lindstrom, on Friday. Lindstrom passed away at the age of 65 after a prolonged battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and fatal brain disorder.

Strayed shared the news on Instagram, revealing that Lindstrom’s passing followed his diagnosis last month. In a poignant post, she reflected on his final moments and the enduring love for him.

"Brian Lindstrom died this morning the way he lived — with gentleness and courage, grace and gratitude for his beautiful life," Strayed wrote. "Our children, Carver and Bobbi, and I held him as he took his last breath and we will hold him forever in our hearts. The only thing more immense than our sorrow that Progressive Supranuclear Palsy took our beloved Brian from us is the endless love we have for him."

She continued, emphasizing the depth of their bond and his character:

"We loved each other and our kids with deep devotion and true delight. He was a stellar husband. He was the most magnificent dad. He was a man whose every word and deed was driven by kindness, compassion and generosity. He saw the goodness in everyone. He believed that we are all sacred and redeemable."

Lindstrom was a documentary filmmaker whose notable works included Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse and Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill. He also collaborated with Strayed on the documentary short We Are Forbidden.

Two weeks prior, Strayed had shared Lindstrom’s diagnosis on Instagram, explaining that she would cancel writing workshops and college visits to focus on her family. She wrote at the time:

"We do not know how we will live without him," Strayed shared. "We’re utterly bereft. We can only walk this dark path and search for the beauty Brian knew was there. It will be his eternal light that guides us."

Strayed’s heartfelt tribute has resonated widely, capturing the profound impact Lindstrom had on her life and those around him.