Brandon Blackstock, best known as Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband and Reba McEntire’s former stepson, has tragically passed away at the age of 48 after a long and private battle with cancer.

The heartbreaking news has shaken the music world and left fans with many questions about his illness, his family ties, and how Kelly Clarkson is coping with the loss.

What was Brandon Blackstock’s cause of death?

Brandon Blackstock died from cancer after more than three years of privately battling the disease.

According to sources close to the family, including TMZ, he had been diagnosed with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, but chose to keep his health fight out of the public spotlight.

He passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025, surrounded by family. The official statement released by his loved ones described him as “brave” and shared that he had fought hard during his prolonged illness.

Was Brandon Blackstock sick before his death?

Yes — though the public didn’t know. Brandon had reportedly been battling melanoma since early 2022.

His health condition was known only to close family and friends.

It wasn’t until August 6, just a day before his passing was announced, that Kelly Clarkson hinted at the seriousness of the situation.

In an emotional social media post, Kelly revealed she was pausing her Las Vegas residency to “be fully present” for their two children, River and Remy, amid a family health crisis.

The next day, the tragic confirmation came that Brandon had passed away.

Who was Brandon Blackstock married to?

Brandon Blackstock was famously married to pop superstar Kelly Clarkson. The two tied the knot in October 2013 after a whirlwind romance and were seen as one of music’s favorite couples for several years.

Their marriage produced two beautiful children — River Rose, born in 2014, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, born in 2016.

The couple’s relationship began to strain during the pandemic, and Kelly filed for divorce in 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Their split became highly publicized due to legal battles over assets and Brandon’s management fees. The divorce was finalized in 2022, but they continued to co-parent their kids.

Did Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband die?

Yes, Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband Brandon Blackstock has passed away, as confirmed by multiple reports and the family’s official statement.

This tragic news has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans, family, and celebrities who knew him.

What kind of cancer did Brandon Blackstock have?

While the family’s statement did not disclose the exact type of cancer, TMZ confirmed that Brandon was battling melanoma, an aggressive skin cancer, for more than three years.

Melanoma can spread quickly if not caught early, and Brandon’s decision to keep his diagnosis private reflected his desire to protect his family from public scrutiny while he underwent treatment.

How many children did Brandon Blackstock have?

Brandon Blackstock was a father of four:

River Rose Blackstock – daughter with Kelly Clarkson (born 2014)

Remington “Remy” Alexander Blackstock – son with Kelly Clarkson (born 2016)

Savannah Blackstock – daughter from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth

Seth Blackstock – son from his first marriage to Melissa Ashworth

He was also a grandfather, as his oldest daughter Savannah welcomed a baby in 2022.

Is Brandon Blackstock related to Reba McEntire?

Yes, Brandon was the stepson of Reba McEntire during her marriage to his father, Narvel Blackstock, a well-known music manager.

Reba helped raise Brandon for over two decades and has publicly referred to him as her “son.”

Though Reba and Narvel divorced in 2015, Reba’s bond with Brandon remained strong. In past interviews, she spoke fondly of him and his children.

With Brandon’s passing, fans are also mourning with Reba, who played a huge role in his life.

What was Brandon Blackstock’s career?

Brandon followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in music management.

He was part of Starstruck Entertainment, the management company led by Narvel Blackstock.

Brandon helped manage major artists like Blake Shelton and, at one time, Kelly Clarkson herself.

Though his business relationship with Kelly ended during their divorce, Brandon continued to work behind the scenes in Nashville’s entertainment world.

He preferred to keep a low profile compared to the stars he worked with.

Did Brandon Blackstock remarry after Kelly Clarkson?

No, there is no public record or credible report indicating that Brandon Blackstock remarried after his divorce from Kelly Clarkson.

His focus in recent years appeared to be on his health, children, and private life. No new spouse or partner was publicly known at the time of his passing.

How is Kelly Clarkson handling Brandon Blackstock’s death?

Kelly Clarkson has remained largely private, only issuing a heartfelt message the day before his passing about prioritizing her children.

She canceled her Las Vegas shows to be with River and Remy and asked fans for kindness and grace during this emotional time.

Though their marriage ended, Brandon was the father of her children, and his loss is clearly a deeply personal and painful one for Kelly.

Sources close to the singer say she is “grieving while staying strong for her kids.”

A private man with a lasting legacy

Brandon Blackstock’s death marks the end of a life that was deeply connected to music, family, and quiet resilience.

Despite being in the public eye due to his high-profile marriage and family ties, he lived most of his adult life behind the scenes — managing stars, raising his kids, and privately facing a terminal illness.