TLDR: Billy Brown, the patriarch of Alaskan Bush People, died on February 7, 2021, at age 68. His son Bear Brown said Billy died after suffering a seizure. His wife Ami and their children kept the family going, and the series continued for two more seasons.
Billy Brown was the bearded head of the Brown family and the face of Alaskan Bush People.
He lived by his own rules, and the show was built around that.
How Billy Brown Died
Billy died on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at age 68. His son Bear told fans that his father “passed away last night after suffering from a seizure,” according to TVLine.
Bear added that his father lived his life on his own terms, off the grid and off the land, and that the family planned to continue his dream.
Discovery called Billy “a trailblazer, a lovely man, and most definitely one of a kind.”
A Hard Few Months
Billy’s death came after a wildfire partly destroyed the family’s property, according to a Looper feature. Looper dated that fire to August 2020, when it was known as the Palmer Fire.
The series had just finished airing its 12th season in October 2020, TVLine noted. It ran through Season 14, which aired from October to December 2022.
The Family After Billy
Billy’s wife Ami survived stage 3 lung cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2017, per TV Insider. After Billy died, the Looper feature said she took on a more outspoken role, managing the family’s money and directing daily life.
For the rest of the family, see our Alaskan Bush People cast update.
The family suffered another loss in May 2026, when Billy’s son Matt died. Our page on Matt Brown covers it.
Billy Brown: Frequently Asked Questions
How did Billy Brown from Alaskan Bush People die?
His son Bear Brown said Billy died after suffering a seizure. He died on February 7, 2021, at age 68.
How old was Billy Brown?
Billy Brown was 68 years old when he died.
Did Alaskan Bush People continue after Billy Brown died?
Yes. The series aired two more seasons after his death, with the last new episodes in December 2022.
Who is Billy Brown’s wife?
Billy was married to Ami Brown. She survived stage 3 lung cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2017.
