TLDR: Ami Brown is alive. She survived stage 3 lung cancer, took over running the family after Billy Brown died in 2021, and was treated in the ICU for pneumonia in February 2025. In August 2026 she was with her family as her youngest daughter, Rain, went into labor.
Ami Brown has been through more than most, and she is the matriarch of Alaskan Bush People.
This page tracks her health and her life since her husband died. For the whole family, see our Alaskan Bush People cast update.
Is Ami Brown Still Alive?
Yes. CinemaBlend reported on August 28, 2026, that Ami wept happy tears when she learned her youngest daughter, Rain, was in labor. The same report said she has been largely off social media since the death of her son Matt.
Her Cancer Fight
Ami was diagnosed with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer in April 2017, Distractify reported. She went through four months of chemotherapy and radiation, and her cancer was in remission by December 2017.
Her doctors said in March 2021 that her most recent scans showed no evidence of cancer.
Taking Charge After Billy
Billy Brown died on February 7, 2021, at age 68. Our page on what happened to Billy Brown covers his death.
A Looper feature said Ami became more outspoken afterward, managing the family’s money and directing daily life in Browntown. Her son Bear called her “the strongest family member” and said she was planning the ranch’s rebuild after the wildfire.
Hospital Stays in 2024 and 2025
Ami was hospitalized for pneumonia in March 2024. In February 2025 she was taken to an emergency room, then flown to a larger hospital for chest pain and trouble breathing, and was treated in intensive care, Yahoo reported.
Bear said in a February 16 video that she was improving, with her oxygen needs reduced. Looper reported that she was released that month.
After Matt’s Death
Ami’s son Matt Brown died in late May 2026, as we cover in what happened to Matt Brown. Our Alaskan Bush People roundup lists both losses.
Her son Gabe was part of that summer too, and the story of his marriage is in what happened to Gabe Brown.
The family also had happier news that summer, with Rain’s baby on the way, though CinemaBlend had no confirmed birth announcement at the time of its report.
Ami Brown: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ami Brown still alive?
Yes. CinemaBlend reported on August 28, 2026, that she was with her family as her daughter Rain went into labor.
What cancer did Ami Brown have?
She was diagnosed with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer in April 2017. She went into remission in December 2017, and her doctors said in 2021 that her scans showed no evidence of cancer.
Was Ami Brown hospitalized in 2025?
Yes. In February 2025 she was flown to a larger hospital with chest pain and trouble breathing, and was treated for pneumonia in intensive care.
What happened to the Brown family after Billy died?
Ami took a more outspoken lead, and the family kept filming for two more seasons. Their son Matt died in late May 2026.
Who is Ami Brown’s husband?
Billy Brown, who died on February 7, 2021, at age 68.
