Chad Gilbert, founding lead guitarist of pop-punk legends New Found Glory, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026, at the age of 45 in Nashville after a long battle with rare adrenal cancer. Known for his energetic riffs, backing vocals, and sharp songwriting, Gilbert helped shape the band’s sound since 1997, powering anthems that defined early 2000s pop-punk.
Beyond NFG, he led side projects and produced acclaimed records for a long time. Amid his demise, Chad’s personal life has come into the limelight. For the unversed, he tied the knot thrice, and his second marriage was to singer and songwriter Hayley Williams.
Chad Gilbert and Hayley Williams were married for only a year
Chad Gilbert and Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams began dating in 2008. At the time, Gilbert had just divorced Sherri DuPree of the band Eisley, whom he had married in 2007. Williams was 18 when the relationship started. The two became one of pop-punk’s most high-profile couples, often appearing together at festivals and on tour.
After six years together, Gilbert proposed to Williams on Christmas Day 2014. Williams announced the engagement on December 31, 2014. They obtained a marriage license in January 2016 and tied the knot on February 20, 2016, in a small private ceremony at the Franklin Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee.
The guest list was about 50 people, limited to close family and friends. The reception was held at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant. For the ceremony, Williams wore a Vera Wang gown with Doc Marten Jadon boots, later changing into a white striped skirt and a T-shirt with “Chad” embroidered on it. Gilbert wore a black tux with a tartan Ben Sherman shirt.
However, on July 1, 2017, Chad Gilbert and Hayley Williams announced their separation in a joint statement posted to Instagram. In the statement, they said marriage is “not for the faint of heart,” that there had been a lot of goodness in their time together but also challenges, and that they would remain close friends. The post was later deleted.
In a 2020 interview with The Guardian to promote her solo album Petals for Armor, Williams reflected on the marriage. She said she was in an unhealthy relationship and kept thinking she could fix it. Hayley added that she knew going into the wedding she was making a terrible decision for herself and for her partner, and that she had wanted a family and considered stepping away from music for a while.
Hayley Williams has gained recognition for her association with the band Paramore
As the powerhouse voice behind Paramore, Hayley Williams has been one of the most defining figures in modern rock for two decades. She started the band in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2004 while still in high school, alongside Josh and Zac Farro and Jeremy Davis, and signed to Fueled by Ramen a year later. Paramore broke through with their 2005 debut All We Know Is Falling, but it was 2007’s Riot! that turned them into arena-level stars.
The band kept evolving with each record. The journey started with Brand New Eyes in 2009, the chart-topping self-titled album in 2013, which delivered the Grammy-winning Ain’t It Fun. This was followed by After Laughter in 2017, and the critically acclaimed This Is Why in 2023, which won Best Rock Album at the Grammys. Beyond Paramore, Williams has built her own lane.
Hayley Williams co-founded the hair dye brand Good Dye Young in 2016, has collaborated with acts from American Football to Lil Uzi Vert, and launched a solo career with Petals for Armor in 2020 and Flowers for Vases / Descansos in 2021. Notably, the albums explored indie, folk, and art-pop far from Paramore’s pop-punk roots.
What are your thoughts about Chad Gilbert and Hayley Williams’ relationship? Let us know.
PC: paramorebrasil/X, Hayley Williams/Facebook
Also Read: Who Is Chad Gilbert’s Wife Lisa Cimorelli? Inside Their Love Story And Marriage Amid His Death At 45
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