Hayley Williams Speaks Out on Death of Ex-Husband Chad Gilbert: ‘Have Not Known If It’s Appropriate’ to Comment, but ‘I Will Forever Be Grateful’

Hayley Williams has spoken out about the death of her former husband, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, who died Sunday. In a social media tribute post, the Paramore singer admitted she put a pause on commenting for a few days because she “had not known what to say or if it’s appropriate,” given their estrangement. But Williams said she was ultimately compelled to put her voice forward to honor Gilbert’s impact on the music scene they shared.

The marriage between Gilbert and Williams was a short one — they wed in 2016 and divorced the following year — and it did not appear to end altogether amicably. But the couple were together a much long time than the marital record would indicate, with their relationship having begun in 2008,.

Williams’ tribute on her Instagram Stories reads:

“Have not known what to say or if it’s appropriate. But I feel sure now that I want to bc life is made of the paths we cross and the reasons we cross them are infinite.

“Chad is indeed a legend in the scene and my time connected to him taught me a lot. He introduced me to people that continue to shape my life in beautiful ways, and to music and culture that has made life a lot richer.

“There isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about what he contributed to the musical world a lot of us grew up in. His influence and attitude guided the genre forward. His passion for fostering the community was inspiring and sticks with me.

“I will forever be grateful that from him I gained a deeper understanding and a reverence for the community and the culture of hardcore.

“Sending love and my sympathies to his family, NFG fam, and all his friends.”

In a joint announcement when they split in 2017, Gilbert and Williams collectively said, ““Marriage is not for the faint of heart. There is a challenge to trying to understand your own heart in the context of a relationship… and there is goodness in considering another heart, even in spite of your own. Love is an absolute risk. And it’s up to each of us to stay hopeful even when the outcome isn’t what we’d originally hoped for.”

Gilbert’s death was announced Sunday in a joint statement on social media from the band and Gilbert’s wife, Lisa Cimorelli. “On the morning of September 20th, Chad Everett Gilbert passed away peacefully in his sleep,” it read. “He left this world surrounded by friends and family and took his final breaths with his wife and mother by his side, just as he wished.

“We are devastated and shocked by how quickly he left us, yet so grateful for how peacefully and smoothly he went. The amount of visitors that crowded the hospital lobby at a moment’s notice is a testament to how beloved and cherished Chad was, and always will be. He was a legendary musician, but his favorite accomplishment was being a husband and father. His biggest dreams came true.”

A cause of death was not given, though Gilbert had been battling cancer for many years. In early 2026, he revealed to People that doctors had discovered three brain tumors and was diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma years after receiving treatment for a rare adrenal cancer.

As a founding member of New Found Glory, Gilbert played on all of the group’s albums beginning with their 1999 debut “Nothing Gold Can Stay” through their 11th and most recent album, 2026’s “Listen Up!” Additionally, Gilbert performed in other groups including Shai Hulud and New Found Glory side project International Superheroes of Hardcore. (Read Variety‘s full obituary here.)