Carnie Wilson Says Dad Brian Is 'Comfortable' After Conservatorship Ruling: 'He's Well Taken Care of' (Exclusive) (2024)

As Carnie Wilsonundergoes a new health journey, giving up gluten and sugar to help her lose the weight she’s struggled with for years, the singer has also been supporting her dad Brian Wilsonas he lives under a conservatorship following the death of his wife Melinda Ledbetter.

“He's well taken care of,” Wilson, 55, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “He's living in so much gratitude right now that he got to tour all these years. We are a very big part of his life, helping monitor his health, helping them make sure that every day, he's cared for.”

In February, Wilson’s family filed to place Brian, 81, under a conservatorship as he continues to suffer from a “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia),” per the court documents. Wilson says the Beach Boys cofounder remains “safe” and “comfortable” and still enjoys doing some of his favorite activities, such as watching the Los Angeles Lakers and eating at Musso & Frank's restaurant in Hollywood.

“His dear friend and caretaker, Gloria, has been with him for almost 40 years,” theSounds Delicious with Carnie Wilson host says. “We're very close communicating.”

The family hosts regular Zoom gatherings with Brian’s five kids he adopted with his second wife Melinda, who died in January. “We are becoming closer every day,” Wilson says. “You never know what life's going to bring, so celebrate every day with your loved ones.”

The mother of two spent Easter with her dad and enjoys bringing him his favorite foods: steak and mac and cheese. “He loves food — probably where I got it from,” Wilson quips.

Wilson remembers growing up cooking matzo ball soup, brisket and chocolate chip cookies with her grandma and taking up cooking more seriously when she got pregnant with her first daughter, Lola, now 18.

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“I was craving some things and I started making cheesecakes, bread puddings and different desserts,” Wilson says. “I wanted to be a better cook for my husband and I wanted to learn family dishes and comfort food.”

Today, Wilson acknowledges that her father “is getting older, and he feels it,” although, “he's definitely active.”

“He had two spinal surgeries that really messed up his walking,” the formerMasked Singercontestant continues. “He's in physical therapy. He's very strong. He's like a bull.”

The Wilson Phillips singer has made no secret of the fact that her dad wasn’t very present in her life growing up. She also inherited his history of alcohol abuse, drug use (Brian overdosed in 1982) and overeating.

"I would have my feelings and not know what to do with them, and so I would eat or I would drink," Wilson, now 20 years sober, says. "It was a challenge when I got sober. I was forced to work a 12-step program. I've had therapy and I have a wonderful therapist that I still call once in a while. But I went through all that childhood stuff, the self-help books and everything. I realized that it's OK if there are ups and downs."

Wilson and her father repaired their relationship and went on to record and perform together. “No one's perfect,” Wilson says. “We've had a lot of healing as father, daughter, and apologies. We do the best we can. I couldn't ask for anything more than that.”

Wilson has even passed on her love of music onto her daughters with guitarist Rob Bonfiglio. Lola sings, and Luci, 14, plays the cello.

“I'm used to family singing together. That's what we do,” the TV personality says. “We're so lucky to have that. Being on stage with my daughters — Lola singing, Luci has come and played — is the greatest joy I can ever think of.”

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Sounds Delicious with Carnie Wilson premieres Tuesday, April 16, a 8:30 p.m. ET on AXS TV.