Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1st at the age of 76 of a rare form of cancer known as Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer.
“We shared memories of our childhood with Jimmy during his last days,” his sister, Laurie Buffett McGuane, said in a statement to People. “We would repeat stories, and Jimmy would laugh and nod his head to let us know that he remembered. I have never seen Jimmy depressed ever. Not even at the end. We all like to joke and laugh and that was very much Jimmy.”
She also told the magazine that she and her brother had been diagnosed with cancer at the same time. Laurie, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, said, “Jimmy and I were diagnosed with cancer about the same time. It was four years ago and Jimmy was actually diagnosed first. When Jimmy found out [I had cancer] he brought the whole family and the dogs to Montana to be with me.”
Buffett began struggling with health issues early last year. He was hospitalized and made the decision to cancel several shows. Then, in the summer of 2023, he was forced to cancel additional concerts, disclosing to the media that he was being hospitalized again to address urgent medical issues that required his physician’s “immediate attention.”
Buffett kept his battle with Merkel cell carcinoma private, and having to cancel recent shows with little to no explanation was something that “devastated him,” according to his sister.
“Jimmy wanted to perform the shows that he had to cancel. He brought joy to so many. I am very emotional now. When Jimmy was in the world, I felt safe. Even though I have Tom, it will be a whole new thing for me to be without my brother Jimmy,” she said.