SALT LAKE CITY — Alan Osmond, the eldest of the performing Osmond brothers, died at the age of 76. The Osmond family said in a statement to KSL that his wife, Suzanne, and their eight sons were at his bedside at the time of his death.
He first rose to fame on “The Andy Williams Show,” paving the way for his younger siblings. As the third child of George and Olive Osmond, Alan — alongside Wayne, Merrill, and Jay — began performing to raise money for hearing aids for their older brothers, Virl and Tom Osmond.
“It was given to us for a purpose, and when you get a gift, it’s expected that you use it properly,” Alan Osmond once said.
The Osmond family’s musical journey expanded to include Donny, Marie, and Jimmy. Their success, they say, was rooted in strong family bonds and a tireless work ethic.
“Family is everything, and music helped us put out that message,” he said.
Known as the “One Take Osmonds,” the group worked hard to perfect their performances quickly due to child labor restrictions.
“We could only work so many hours a day,” Alan Osmond recalled, “so we’d take the work home and make sure we nailed it on the first take.”
Faith was always central to their lives. No matter where they performed, they openly shared their beliefs.
“We’re unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Alan Osmond said. “We’d say from the stage, ‘Hey, we’re going to church tomorrow — wanna come with us?”
Alan Osmond married Suzanne Pinegar in 1974, and together they raised eight sons.
In 1980, Alan and Merrill Osmond founded the Stadium of Fire in Provo, which is now one of the largest Fourth of July celebrations in the country. In 2021, Alan and Suzanne were honored as Pillars of Utah Valley.
In 1987, Alan Osmond was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
“I was on stage and couldn’t raise my right hand,” he said. “I trusted my Heavenly Father. You have to have opposition in life — this was my test.”
“We decided to keep that eternal perspective,” his wife added. “This is not forever.”
Alan Osmond said he worked hard to be resilient, and was inspired by his mother’s mantra: “I may have MS, but MS does not have me!”
Millions of fans around the world continue to celebrate Alan Osmond — not just for his talent, but for his unwavering commitment to family, faith, and community.
