Hayley Williams breaks silence after ex-husband Chad Gilbert's death - USA Today
Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams is remembering her former husband, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, following his death at age 45.
Williams shared a statement on her Instagram story Wednesday, Sept. 23, days after Gilbert died Sept. 20 following a yearslong battle with a rare form of cancer.
"Have not known what to say or if it's appropriate," Williams began. "But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite."
The 37-year-old singer reflected on the role Gilbert played in her life and praised his influence on the music community they shared.
"Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot," Williams wrote. "He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer."
Williams also credited Gilbert with helping bring the hardcore and pop-punk scenes to the masses.
"His influence and attitude guided the genre forward," she continued. "His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me."
Williams said she would remain grateful to Gilbert for giving her a "deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore." She concluded the message by sending her love and sympathies to his family, New Found Glory fans and his friends.
Gilbert died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by friends and family, according to a joint statement on Instagram shared by his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, and New Found Glory. His wife and mother were at his side during his final moments.
Earlier this year, doctors found three tumors in Gilbert's brain, prompting emergency surgery and radiation treatment. Gilbert revealed in April that his diagnosis had been revised from metastatic pheochromocytoma to stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare cancer that begins in the outer layer of the adrenal gland.
Metastatic pheochromocytoma is a rare cancer that begins as a hormone-producing tumor in an adrenal gland and spreads to other parts of the body according to the Mayo Clinic. It can affect blood pressure and cause headaches, sweating and a rapid heartbeat.
Gilbert had spoken publicly about his cancer battle since 2021, when he underwent emergency surgery to remove a rare adrenal tumor. He later underwent additional procedures after tumors were discovered in other parts of his body.
Gilbert co-founded New Found Glory in Florida in 1997 and helped shape the band's sound as its lead guitarist, backing vocalist and one of its principal songwriters. The group became a defining act of the early 2000s pop-punk movement with songs including "My Friends Over You," "Hit or Miss" and "All Downhill From Here."
Williams and Gilbert married in February 2016 after dating for several years. They announced their separation in July 2017.
Gilbert is survived by Cimorelli, their daughter, Lily, his mother, Jackie, and his brother, Brian.
