Jimmy Buffett’s Wife Pens Emotional Letter to Fans a Week After His Death
Jimmy Buffett's wife Jane Slagsvol honored her husband's legacy in a poignant letter she shared with fans a week after the "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter's death.
In it, she opened up about the musician's final days and thanked fans for creating "the world’s most joyful community."
The letter, posted to Buffett's official website on Saturday, Sept. 9, began with a quote from the late singer, who, in the months before his death, told his wife that "growing old is not for sissies."
"These last few years have been unimaginably challenging for Jimmy and me, and we’re definitely not sissies," Slagsvol shared. "One thing we both knew and experienced, through every difficult moment, was the feeling of being buoyed up by all the people in our lives. Everywhere we went, at arenas, at events, and even in the hospitals, we were surrounded by love."
"There is a whole world of people I want to thank for the incredible kindness you showed us," she wrote, addressing the impact of his incredibly supportive fans, the Parrotheads.
"Since those early days and all through the decades, Jimmy’s fans became a big, boisterous family. Thank you for creating the world’s most joyful community," she wrote. "The smile that Jimmy beamed at you from the stage was sparked by your spirit. I think that’s why he loved performing so much. He was so grateful to the community you built around him. Your sympathy and support inspire and comfort me and my family."
She then thanked Buffett's team of medical professionals and caregivers for the hope they inspired and their bravery as Buffett battled Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.
"Jimmy listened to everything you said and followed your every order. You gave him hope, even at the most hopeless moments," Slagsvol confessed. "Thank you for your tenacity in seeking the best solutions at each stage of his illness. You were honest, brave, and empathic; you showed us such dignity and goodness. I could not have asked for a better team of professionals."
"Jimmy was love," she continued, explaining that even during his final days, he managed to keep a positive demeanor–something both his sister and daughter spoke about in the days after his passing. "Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh."
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"One of the last songs Jimmy recorded was 'Bubbles Up.' He sings, 'Just know that you are loved, there is light up above, and the joy is always enough. Bubbles up.' Jimmy knew he was loved. Right until the end, he looked for the light. Thank you for giving joy to him and to me." she concluded. "Love, Jane."
Buffett and Slagsvol first said "I do" in 1977–about five years after he and his first wife, Margie Washichek, divorced–and were married until he passed away on Sept. 1. During their 46 years together, they welcomed three children: daughters Delaney and Savannah and son Cameron.
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