Gene Wilder’s Family Release An Incredibly Moving Statement About His Touching Final Moments: ‘He Passed Holding Our Hands’

Gene Wilder passed away holding hands with his family and listening to one of his favourite singers performing Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory icon passed away at his home in Stamford, Connecticut earlier this month aged 83 following complications linked to Alzheimer's disease.

In a touching statement by nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman, it was revealed the Hollywood legend was listening to Ella Fitzgerald performing the classic song...

It is with indescribable sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announce the passing of husband, parent and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him.

The cause was complications from Alzheimer's Disease with which he co-existed for the last three years. The choice to keep this private was his choice, in talking with us and making a decision as a family. We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones - the illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality. It took enough but not that.

The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn't vanity, but more so that the countless young children would smile or call out to him 'there's Willy Wonka,' would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world.

He continued to enjoy art, music, and kissing his leading lady of the last twenty-five years, Karen. He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons and delighted in the company of beloved ones.

He is survived by Karen[wife], Jordan [nephew] and the Webbs (Kevin, Gretchen, Tucker, Spencer)[wife's family], along with Jordan's wife Elizabeth. Gene's sister Corinne, predeceased him in January of this year.

He was eighty three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember. As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath, the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald. There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London Bistro some years ago that are among each our cherished possessions. She was singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' as he was taken away.

'We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.'

Sincerely,

'Gene's Kid'

Jordan Walker-Pearlman