Neil Young’s Ex-Wife Pegi Young Has Sadly Died After A Battle With Cancer

Some sad news has landed on everyone’s radar, as we’ve all learned that Pegi Young, the ex-wife of musician Neil Young, has died at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer.

A statement on Pegi’s Facebook was recently released. It read: “With great sadness, we confirm that on January 1st, after a year-long battle with cancer, Pegi Young — mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, musician, activist and co-founder of the Bridge School — passed away surrounded by her friends and family in her native California. We request that the families’ privacy be respected at this time.”

Neil, 73, was married to Pegi from 1978 to 2014. The pair had two children while together, Ben and Amber. Pegi also became stepmom to Zeke Young, a son that Neil welcomed while in a previous relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress in 1972. Pegi did not get married again after Neil filed for divorce, but her ex-husband did find love again with actress Daryl Hannah. While many people know of Neil and his accomplishments, the casual fan does not know all that Pegi did in her life and career. Not only was Pegi a musician, she also founded The Bridge School, a school that gives aid to students who deal with physical impairments. Pegi was inspired to do this after her and Neil struggled to find a school to help Ben, who has cerebral palsy.

Neil met Pegi in 1974 while she was a waitress in a diner near his ranch. In fact, Neil’s 1992 song “Unknown Legend” is all about him meeting the woman who would eventually become his wife. The first couple of lines from the song read, “She used to work in a diner. Never saw a woman look finer.” The chorus goes on to state, “Somewhere on a desert highway, she rides a Harley-Davidson. Her long blonde hair flying in the wind. She’s been running half her life.”

Aside from Ben and Amber, Pegi is also survived by two grandkids.