Raul Malo, the lead singer for the beloved music group The Mavericks, has tragically passed away on Monday, Dec. 8 at the age of 60 following his cancer battle.
“At 8:52 pm on December 8th, 2025, my love… our boys’ father… a devoted son and brother… and a friend to so many, gained his angel wings,” Betty Malo, the musician’s wife, wrote in a statement on Malo’s official Facebook page. “He was called to do another gig — this time in the sky — and he’s flying high like an eagle. No one embodied life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure the way our beloved Raul did. Now he will look down on us with all that heaven will allow, lighting the way and reminding us to savor every moment. Dino, Victor, Max and I — along with our entire family — thank all of you for your love and support through all of this. We felt every bit of it. In Raul’s own words: ‘Muchísimas gracias.’”
The Mavericks Post a Touching Tribute For Raul Malo
“It’s with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother Raul Malo on December 8th, 2025 at the age of 60,” the band posted on social media. “Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy. Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself.”
“While his spirited performances garnered a massive & loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards, it was his lifelong commitment to the preservation of the multi-lingual American musical repertoire of which he was most proud, making history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts. It was this commitment, along with his steadfast championing of music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world, for which Raul was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Music Council of the United States’ American Eagle Award,” they continued. “Though his earthly body may have passed, Raul’s spirit will live on forever in heaven, and here on earth through the music, joy, and light he brought forth. His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
“Raul is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Betty; sons Dino, Victor, and Max, mother Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden,” the band concluded. “The family thanks everyone for their love & support, and asks for privacy at this time.”
Raul Malo Revealed He Had Been Diagnosed With Colon Cancer In June 2024
In June 2024, Malo told fans that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer after undergoing a physical, a CT scan, and a colonoscopy, per Billboard.
This year, the band announced that they were canceling their tour dates so Malo could focus on his recovery, as the cancer had spread to his brain. At the beginning of December, numerous musicians gathered to celebrate Malo and The Mavericks, but he was unable to attend as he was hospitalized shortly before.
