The name Lesley Gibb may not ring a bell when mentioned without the company of the Bee Gee band who were her younger siblings. The 79-year-old lived in the shadows of her brothers’ fame until death began to snatch them one after the other leaving her to wonder if the price for fame and fortune was death.
While there are people who naturally navigate towards fame, there are others who shy away from the limelight. Lesley is undoubtedly in the second category. The Bee Gee band created by her brothers was one of the most successful pop bands in history and Lesley possessed an excellent talent. Howbeit, she never considered a career in music. Here’s what we’ve garnered about her.
Lesley Gibb was Born in 1945
Barry Gibb’s only sister was born Lesley Gibb on January 12, 1945, in the Isle of Man but was raised in Manchester, Lancashire, England, and spent a huge part of her teenage years in Australia.
She is the first child of five children born to her father Hugh Leslie Gibb and her mother Barbara May Gibb. However, her only living sibling is Barry Gibb who was born on September 1st, 1946 just a year after her birth and he is currently 79– years old.
Leslie Gibb’s father was a drummer who toured countries like England and Scotland as the leader of an orchestra in the 40s, while her mother was a dance band vocalist. Her parent’s career afforded them a comfortable livelihood and offered them the first-hand privilege to be musicians.
While her brothers made a career out of it, Leslie only joined in for a few years before switching to a different career.
Other Interesting Facts about Lesley Gibb
1. Her Siblings Were Very Influential
As stated, Lesley’s parents pursued a career in entertainment and it was long before it became a family career. Her siblings formed a band titled the Bee Gees which was made up of Barry Gibb, the twin Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and then the last child of the family Andy Gibb. The band started off in the late 50s and became a big name within the last 60s and early 70s.
2. She Briefly Joined the Bee Gee Band Following a Hissy Fit Between the Brothers
While Lesley’s siblings pursued a career in entertainment, the now 77-year-old didn’t have much interest like her brothers. She was overly nervous and couldn’t stand large crowds during live performances. However, a time came when she had no choice but to be a part of them.
As the story goes, the brothers were involved in a conflict which caused her younger brother Robin to leave. As a result of his absence, she had to fill up for him. According to her, she practiced with the band for almost a month to be able to fit into his position and even though the difference in their voice was noticeable, she undeniably possessed the vibes of the Gibbs.
Fortunately, Robin reconciled with the band and relieved Leslie of having to hold her heart in her hands while performing. She retired from the band to focus on her family.
3. Lesley Gibb Tragedically Lost Three of Her Siblings
Life as many have described it is but a fleeting moment of happiness strung together on a necklace of despair. Leslie Gibbs came to the full reality of this quote after she lost her brother Ribon to cancer in 2012. This happened after a long fight with the disease and getting through with other diagnoses.
In an interview, Leslie poured out a roller coaster of emotions that were accompanied by bittersweet memories. She recalls how she saved her brother from drowning when he was still a toddler and how they have built a strong bond over the years. She also spoke about how she stood in for him in the band and how he confessed that he loved her performance.
The news of his death left the family devastated not only because of the bond between them but it made him the third son the family was burying. Prior to his demise, she had lost her two younger siblings Maurice and Andy. The former was Robin’s twin and he died as a result of twisted intestine complications which led to a heart attack at the age of 53 in 2003 then Andy the youngest of the Gibbs died following heart inflammation at the age of 30 in 1988.
4. Did She Ever Tie The Knot?
Yes, Leslie got married to Keith Evans in 1966 when she was 20 years old. The couple is yet to take us through the journey of how they met and at which point they decided to take the bold step. What is known is that they have been married for over 5 decades and blessed with 8 children, Bernice who is unfortunately late, Barry, Deborah Victoria, and Tiffany Jane. The identities of her other children and grandchildren are elusive from the media.
While there is not much information about her husband Keith, we uncovered that he was an Australian salesman and was once her brother Barry’s assistant in the mid-60s. At present, he maintains his occupation as a dog breeder.
5. She Lost One of Her Daughters In 2021
Leslie has always managed to keep her private life away from the spotlight which makes Information about her children elusive to the media. However, it was sadly revealed that she lost one of her daughters Berry Gibb-Rhoads to the cold hands of death in 2021.
She was found unconscious by her husband in their house in Las Vegas in the company of their dog. The cause of her death has not been clearly established even though it has been linked to a heart attack by doctors. According to her mother, Berry began to feel unwell after the second dose of the COVID 19 vaccine. Berry Gibb-Rhoad’s death made the family shiver again as she is remembered as an adventurous woman who was so full of life.
Following her death, a number of things have been learned about her. She was born in Sydney in 1964 and her birth name was Bernice. She is the only child of Bernice who has an idea of the success the Gee Bee Band pulled. She was a great dancer and an avid lover of dogs. Berry was married to her husband Chino and enjoyed marital Bliss for over three decades until her tragic demise.
6. How Rich is Lesley Gibb?
While Leslie has had her own share of tragedies, her career has recorded successes over the years. as a top breeder, she makes a substantial income that affords her a comfortable life. Following her brief career with the Bee Gee band and as the eldest sister of the influential family, she is estimated to be worth $8 million.
Read Also: Joey Molland- How Rich Is He? Bio, Wife, 7 Other Facts
7. What Is She Up To?
One question you would find buzzing on the net is the whereabouts of Leslie Gibb who is now Leslie Evans. Not to worry, the mother of 8 is still alive and occupied with some grandma responsibilities. She is also known to have built a career as a top breeder of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and operates a dog boarding kennel alongside her husband, Keith Evans in Australia’s Blue Mountains Park.
