Hayley Williams has shared a public remembrance of her former husband, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, following his death at age 45.
The Paramore singer acknowledged that she had wrestled with whether she should publicly address Gilbert’s death. Ultimately, Williams decided that their shared history and his lasting impact on her life were worth recognizing.
Rather than focusing primarily on their marriage, Williams reflected on the musical and cultural influence Gilbert had on her. She credited their time together with introducing her to people, music and ideas that continued to shape her long after their relationship ended.
Gilbert was a major presence in the pop-punk and hardcore communities for decades. As a founding member and guitarist of New Found Glory, he helped the band become one of the defining acts of the pop-punk movement that flourished around the turn of the millennium.
Williams remembered Gilbert as an important figure within that world, particularly because of his dedication to the community surrounding the music. She said the experience of knowing him gave her a greater appreciation for hardcore culture and the connections formed within it.
Williams and Gilbert had been together for years before marrying in February 2016. Their marriage ended the following year. Gilbert later married musician Lisa Cimorelli in 2020, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Lily, in 2021.
Gilbert had dealt publicly with serious health problems in recent years, including cancer. His family and New Found Glory announced that he died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 20 with loved ones nearby.
His death prompted remembrances throughout the rock community, underscoring the reach of a career that stretched nearly three decades.
Williams closed her own remembrance by extending her sympathies to Gilbert’s family, friends and New Found Glory bandmates.
For Williams, the message served not only as a farewell to someone with whom she once shared a significant chapter of her life, but also as recognition of the musical community and culture he helped introduce her to and champion throughout his career.
