Brandon Blackstock, the former husband of singer Kelly Clarkson and a longtime talent manager, has died at the age of 48 following a private three-year battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news in a statement released on August 7, expressing their sorrow and asking for privacy during this difficult time. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” the statement read.
The announcement came just one day after Clarkson revealed she was postponing the remaining August dates of her Las Vegas residency, citing Blackstock’s illness and her need to be fully present for their children. “While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” Clarkson wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Clarkson and Blackstock married in 2013 and share two children: River Rose, 11, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 9. Blackstock also had two children from a previous marriage. The couple’s relationship ended in a highly publicized divorce, finalized in 2022, which included disputes over property and financial arrangements. Despite the acrimony, sources close to Clarkson say she made a conscious effort to protect Blackstock’s privacy during his illness for the sake of their family.
Throughout his illness, Blackstock kept his diagnosis private, and neither he nor Clarkson publicly disclosed the type of cancer he had. However, reports suggest he may have been battling melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Clarkson’s recent absence from her daytime talk show earlier this year, which featured guest hosts in her place, was also reportedly linked to Blackstock’s declining health.