Jimmy Buffet’s wife praises his fans as the world’s most joyful community in heartfelt tribute to the late singer

Jimmy Buffet’s wife, Jane Slagsvol, has penned a heartwarming tribute to her late husband just a few weeks after the 76-year-old singer passed away.

The tribute also celebrated his large and loyal fan base as the “world’s most joyful community”.

Buffet, known for his laid-back tunes, coastal lifestyle anthems, and a love for celebrating life’s simple pleasures, left a gap in the music industry when he passed away peacefully on September 1 from Merkel cell skin cancer. 

Slagsvol’s tender testimony struck at the heart of the deep impact made by the singer throughout his life and career.

She acknowledged Buffet’s health struggle over the past few years, revealing that, “These last few years have been unimaginably challenging for Jimmy and me, and we’re definitely not sissies”.

She went on to honour all the people who surrounded them with love and support during the tough times.

“Everywhere we went, at arenas, at events, and even in the hospitals, we were surrounded by love. There is a whole world of people I want to thank for the incredible kindness you showed us,” she wrote.

Slagsvol went on to also thank Buffet’s medical team for their ability to give him hope even during the most hopeless moments.

“You were honest, brave, and empathic; you showed us such dignity and goodness. I could not have asked for a better team of professionals,” she said.

She described the Margaritaville singer’s huge and loyal fan base, known as the Parrotheads, as a “big, boisterous family” that has grown over the decades.

She thanked all his fans by saying, “Thank you for creating the world’s most joyful community. The smile that Jimmy beamed at you from the stage was sparked by your spirit. I think that’s why he loved performing so much. He was so grateful to the community you built around him.”

Following the release of Slagsvol’s tribute, Parrotheads lit up Buffet’s social media channels with heartfelt messages of love, support, and appreciation for the singer and his work.

Sending love and strength. This world is a much better place for having Jimmy in it.

— Irene Dean (@AmsterdutchDean) September 10, 2023

Keeping your family in my prayers. And by family I am including all my fellow Parrot heads????????️⛵️

— Michelle Cruz (@flyingfeetajg) September 10, 2023

Thank you for so generously sharing him with us! Praying for your continued peace and that you continue to feel all the love and joy being sent your way!

— Camie Boggess (@arkcab) September 10, 2023

Thank you for sharing Jimmy with all of us. His songs were joy and happiness as were his concerts.
So many dancing New Orleans Jazz Fest ‘s concerts.Especially the one after Katrina which brought light into our home.
Thank you Jimmy for the music and the laughter.

— A Maggied (@a_maggied) September 11, 2023

The couple were married for 45 years and amassed many true and loyal friends. To them, Slagsvol said, “You created a microclimate of affection that surrounded us like the sun. It gave us hope; it felt like a celebration even when things were grim.”

To her family, she said simply, “I cannot begin to express what you mean to me and Jimmy. I cherish you, I love you, and I am unfathomably grateful to you every day. You are my heart.”

And finally, she honoured her late husband with a simple statement, “Jimmy was love. Every cell in his body was filled with joy. He smiled all the time, even when he was deeply ill. And his sense of humor never wavered. Jimmy was always the optimist, always twinkling, always making us laugh.”

She concluded her tribute thanking all those who came into contact with the singer for making him feel loved.

“Right until the end, he looked for the light. Thank you for giving joy to him and to me,” she said.