Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford (née Rovell; born February 6, 1948) is an American singer who is best known as the first wife of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson.

Through a mutual connection with musician Gary Usher, Marilyn met Brian at a Beach Boys concert in August 1962.

The couple's early marital struggles were reflected in the melancholic lyrical content from the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds (particularly the songs "Caroline, No" and "You Still Believe in Me").

[2][4] Beach Boys biographer Steven Gaines wrote that the family "were what the decidedly anti-Semitic Hawthorne crowd considered 'Fairfax Jews'".

"[2][8] Later, Wilson's song "All Summer Long" nodded to their first meeting with the lyric "Remember when you spilled Coke all over your blouse?

"[9] Brian prevailed upon Capitol Records to sign the Rovell sisters, whom he rechristened "the Honeys", envisioning them as a female counterpart to the Beach Boys.

[19][20][21] In between her time spent recording and performing, Marilyn worked at a doughnut shop, and enrolled in Hollywood Professional School with Diane.

[28] Further conflicts in their marriage were exacerbated by his progressive drug habits, spurred on by a new friendship with talent agent Loren Schwartz.

[42][43][nb 4] When Pet Sounds was assembled, Brian brought a complete acetate to Marilyn, who remembered, "It was so beautiful, one of the most spiritual times of my whole life.

"[45] In early 1967, the couple put their Laurel Way house up for sale and took residence at a newly purchased Bel Air mansion on Bellagio Road.

[50] Marilyn and Brian had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy (born 1968 and 1969, respectively), who later had musical success of their own as two-thirds of the group Wilson Phillips.

[55][nb 6] Frustrated with the constant visits to their home from musicians and producers, Marilyn had the band's studio, located within the Wilson household, dismantled in 1972.

[61] In 1970, Marilyn and Diane formed the music duo American Spring, a collaboration with Brian and musician David Sandler.

Responding to accusations of neglect, Marilyn stated that she had sought professional help for her husband for many years, but was unable "to find someone who could deal with him on his own level".

[65][nb 7] Wilson's mother Audree told a journalist, "It would get to the point where Marilyn really thought Brian needed help; then he seemed okay, and she'd sort of forget about it, not necessarily talking to him about it at all.

[67] This arrangement with Stan persisted for several months, after which Marilyn successfully persuaded Brian to volunteer himself as a patient under psychologist Eugene Landy's 24-hour therapy regimen.

[69][70] In 1976, he recorded an original song called "Marilyn Rovell", a dedication to his wife, although the track remains unreleased.

[74] In December 1976, after Landy had raised his fee, Marilyn relieved him of his services and a new psychiatrist was immediately brought to Brian.

[78][77] After her divorce from Wilson, Marilyn became a real estate broker and remarried to a man named Daniel Rutherford.

[86] Wilson purposely chose Marilyn's birthday for the wedding ceremony date so that it would be easy to remember for future anniversaries.