Hayley Williams has spoken publicly about the death of her former husband, Chad Gilbert, several days after the New Found Glory guitarist died on Sept. 20, 2026. In a heartfelt tribute, the Paramore singer acknowledged the complicated history between them while reflecting on the lasting influence Gilbert had on her life, music and connection to the hardcore community.
Williams said she initially hesitated to comment because she was unsure whether it was appropriate to speak publicly after their estrangement. Ultimately, however, she decided she wanted to honor someone whose musical and personal influence remained significant.
Hayley Williams Pays Tribute to Chad Gilbert
In her social media tribute, Williams focused less on the details of their past relationship and more on the cultural and musical world they once shared.
She described Gilbert as a major figure in the scene and reflected on what she learned during the years they were connected. According to Williams, Gilbert introduced her to people who continued to shape her life and exposed her to music and culture that enriched her understanding of the community.
That connection was particularly meaningful when it came to hardcore music. Williams credited Gilbert with helping her develop a deeper appreciation for the genre and its culture, describing his passion for fostering that community as something that stayed with her.
Her message also extended sympathy to Gilbert’s family, his New Found Glory bandmates and the many friends who knew him throughout his career.
Hayley Williams and Chad Gilbert Shared a Long History
Although Williams and Gilbert were married for only about a year, their relationship stretched much further back.
The pair began dating in 2008 and married in 2016. They announced their split the following year, describing the end of their marriage in language that acknowledged both the difficulty and uncertainty that can accompany a serious relationship.
Their joint statement at the time emphasized the challenges of understanding oneself within a partnership. They also described love as a risk and expressed hope despite the relationship not ending as they had originally expected.
Years later, Williams’ tribute suggested that the end of their marriage did not erase the impact of the years they spent connected.
Chad Gilbert’s Legacy With New Found Glory
Gilbert’s influence extended far beyond his relationship with Williams. He was a founding member of New Found Glory, one of the bands closely associated with the pop-punk and alternative music scene that emerged around the turn of the millennium.
As guitarist and a key member of the group, Gilbert appeared on its albums beginning with the band’s 1999 debut, Nothing Gold Can Stay. His work with New Found Glory continued across the band’s subsequent releases, including its 2026 album, Listen Up!.
For fans who followed the group from its early years, Gilbert became part of a broader musical movement that helped define an era of pop-punk.
His career also included work outside New Found Glory. He performed with Shai Hulud and was involved in International Superheroes of Hardcore, a New Found Glory side project that allowed him to explore a heavier musical direction.
Those projects reflected an important part of Gilbert’s musical identity. His connection to hardcore was not simply a side note in his career. It was a major influence on his musical interests and the community he helped support.
The Circumstances Surrounding Chad Gilbert’s Death
Gilbert died on Sept. 20, 2026. A statement released by New Found Glory and his wife, Lisa Cimorelli, said he died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family and friends.
The statement described the speed of his decline as shocking to those close to him while emphasizing that his final moments were peaceful. It also highlighted the large number of people who gathered at the hospital, underscoring the breadth of his personal and professional relationships.
His family described Gilbert not only as a celebrated musician but also as a husband and father. The statement emphasized that his family was central to the life he valued most.
A specific cause of death was not announced in the statement. Gilbert had, however, publicly discussed his long battle with cancer.
Earlier in 2026, he told People that doctors had discovered three brain tumors. He had previously been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma after receiving treatment for a rare form of adrenal cancer.
Why Williams’ Tribute Resonated With Fans
Williams’ decision to speak publicly was notable because it did not attempt to simplify the history between the two musicians.
Instead, her comments acknowledged that relationships can remain meaningful even after they change or end. Her tribute concentrated on gratitude, artistic influence and shared experiences rather than revisiting the private details of their separation.
That perspective also reflects the way musicians’ lives often overlap within tightly connected scenes. Williams and Gilbert came from different but intersecting corners of alternative music, and their relationship connected the Paramore and New Found Glory worlds at a time when both bands had become influential names for a generation of listeners.
For fans, Gilbert’s death therefore represents more than the loss of a guitarist. It marks the passing of a musician who was deeply embedded in a particular musical culture and who helped sustain its community over decades.
A Lasting Connection Through Music
Hayley Williams’ tribute ultimately centered on the idea that people can leave lasting impressions even when their personal paths change.
Her words recognized Gilbert’s role in introducing her to people, sounds and traditions that continued to influence her. She also expressed gratitude for the deeper understanding of hardcore culture she gained through their connection.
That sentiment adds another dimension to Gilbert’s legacy. His career was built not only around recordings and performances but also around relationships within the music community.
New Found Glory’s continuing presence, his work with other bands and the response from friends and fellow musicians all point to a career that reached well beyond one group.
For Williams, that legacy remains connected to a personal chapter of her own life. For fans of New Found Glory and the wider punk and hardcore scenes, it represents decades of music and community.
Remembering Chad Gilbert’s Impact
Hayley Williams’ comments offer a thoughtful reflection on Chad Gilbert’s life without reducing their complicated history to a single narrative. Her tribute acknowledges the distance that developed between them while recognizing the enduring influence he had on her musical perspective and personal journey.
Gilbert’s death also closes a significant chapter in the history of New Found Glory and the broader pop-punk scene. From the band’s late-1990s beginnings to its continued work in 2026, his career remained closely tied to a musical community that shaped millions of listeners.
As fans, friends and fellow musicians remember him, Williams’ words provide one particularly personal perspective: sometimes a relationship can change profoundly while the experiences, lessons and cultural connections it created continue to matter.
For Williams, those connections were lasting. And through the music Gilbert helped create and the community he helped cultivate, his influence is likely to remain part of the scene he cared so deeply about.
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