Brian Lindstrom, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker and husband of author Cheryl Strayed, has died. He was 65 years old.
Strayed, 57, announced Friday, May 15, that Lindstrom died after battling progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disease, in a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram.
“Brian Lindstrom died this morning the way he lived—with gentleness and courage, grace and gratitude for his beautiful life. Our children, Carver and Bobbi, and I held him as he took his last breath and we will hold him forever in our hearts. The only thing more immense than our sorrow that Progressive Supranuclear Palsy took our beloved Brian from us is the endless love we have for him.”
Two weeks ago, Bestselling writer Cheryl Strayed has shared a deeply personal update, revealing that her husband of more than two decades, Brian Lindstrom, is facing a life-threatening diagnosis. The announcement has prompted the acclaimed author to step back from public appearances as she focuses on supporting her family during an incredibly difficult time.
Strayed, 57, took to social media to explain why she is canceling several scheduled events, including workshops and appearances. The decision, she said, comes after learning that Lindstrom has been diagnosed with a “serious, fatal illness.”
“My apologies to those of you who made plans to be there,” she wrote. “I simply cannot do anything but be with my family right now and see to our broken hearts. I ask that you hold us in your thoughts, prayers, light, and love.”
The message marked a rare and vulnerable moment from the author, who is known for her emotional honesty in her writing but typically keeps her private life more guarded.
While stepping away from live commitments, Strayed noted that some professional obligations will continue—albeit in a limited capacity. Previously recorded episodes of her podcast, Mind Over Mountain, will still be released, even as her personal circumstances have changed dramatically.
“If it seems emotionally dissonant to see me posting cheerful clips from my podcast each week, now and over the coming several weeks, it is for me too,” she explained. “Those interviews, which I loved doing, were recorded previously, in easier, happier times.”
Her acknowledgment highlights the emotional contrast many public figures face when pre-planned content continues to circulate during periods of personal hardship.
Strayed has often credited Lindstrom as a cornerstone of her life and career. The couple, who share two children, have long supported each other’s artistic pursuits—she as a writer and he as a filmmaker.
Reflecting on their partnership in a past interview, she once said, “There’s no doing it without him. When I was writing Torch, he believed in me more than I believed in myself. He’s always, always, always been there for me, every time I needed him. He encourages me. He believes in me.”
She also described their relationship as deeply collaborative rather than competitive. “He’s an amazing person and an amazing filmmaker,” she shared. “Many people ask us if we’re jealous of each other or competitive because we’re both artists. We’re always mystified by that because we support each other in every way.”
The couple’s connection dates back to 1995, shortly after Strayed completed the transformative Pacific Crest Trail journey that would later inspire her bestselling memoir Wild. Their relationship quickly became a defining part of her life.
In a 2022 reflection, she recalled their first meeting: “Met this beautiful man 27 years ago today—literally half my lifetime ago. The next day I wrote in my journal: ‘I met a man named Brian Lindstrom last night. I don’t know who he is, but I think he’ll be someone to me.’ Little did I know how right I’d be. And how lucky.”
Since sharing the news, fans and readers have flooded Strayed with messages of compassion. As she steps away from the spotlight, her focus remains firmly on her husband and children.
Her story serves as a reminder that behind even the most celebrated voices are deeply human experiences—moments of love, loss, and resilience that transcend the page.
