James Brown's wife dies two days after surgery

Jet, Jan 22, 1996

Adrienne Lois Brown, wife of "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, recently died. She had undergone cosmetic surgery two days prior. She was 47.

Mrs. Brown was pronounced dead at Century City Hospital in Los Angeles after being brought there by paramedics, the hospital said in a written press statement.

The cause of death was not known at Jet press time. An autopsy was conducted, but the results were not released at press time.

Mrs. Brown had been recovering from surgery at an after care health facility in Beverly Hills. The type of surgery, which was performed in a doctor's office, was not disclosed. She collapsed at the health care facility and was rushed to the hospital.

The hospital said the surgery did not appear to have contributed to Mrs. Brown's death. There also was no sign of foul play, the hospital said.

"They don't think it was related to the surgery," said hospital spokesperson Lisa Gaines. "It could have been natural causes. They don't know."

Mrs. Brown, a former hair stylist for several television shows, including "Solid Gold" and "Days of Our Lives", had been married to Brown for more than 10 years.

The couple met in 1981 on the set of "Solid Gold" and their first date was dinner with Brown's activist friend, the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Brown could not be reached for comment at Jet press time. But his long-time attorney and spokesman Buddy Dallas said the singer was saddened. "He said, 'What I really need right now is everybody's prayers.'"

Funeral services were pending at press time.