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Singer shared a photo with his wife on Instagram on Christmas Day
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Published Feb 09, 2026 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 3 minute read
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Singer Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down takes to the stage at the opening concert of their German tour in the Columbiahalle in Berlin, on Feb. 21, 2012. Photo by Jörg Carstensen /APArticle content
Just six weeks before his death at the age of 47, Three Doors Down rocker Brad Arnold expressed his gratitude for life in what turned out to be his final social media post.
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“Merry Christmas, everybody,” Arnold captioned a snap he shared on Christmas Day alongside his wife, Jennifer Sanderford, and their Golden Retriever in front of a decorated tree. “I can’t tell ya how thankful I am to be here!”
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Last May, Arnold revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
“Got some not so good news for you today,” Arnold said in a video message shared with his fans. “So, I’d been sick a couple of weeks ago and then went to the hospital and got checked out, and actually got the diagnosis that I had a clear cell renal cell carcinoma that had metastasized into my lung. And it’s stage four, and that’s not real good.”
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But Arnold said his faith helped him face the disease head on and without fear.
“We serve a mighty God, and he can overcome anything,” he continued. “So I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all, but it is going to force us to cancel our tour this summer and we’re sorry for that.”
Arnold helped form the band in 1996 in Mississippi, and was the original drummer and vocalist. He wrote and produced the hit Kryptonite, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Grammy-nominated song was written when he was just 15 years old in math class.
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Their 2000 debut LP, The Better Life, sold over 6 million copies worldwide and they released five other albums, including 2016’s Us And The Night.
Arnold died ‘surrounded by loved ones’
The singer-songwriter’s bandmates – which also included guitarist Chris Henderson, drummer Greg Upchurch, guitarist Chet Roberts and bassist Justin Biltonen — announced Arnold’s death in a post on Facebook.
“With heavy hearts, we share the news that Brad Arnold, founder, lead singer, and songwriter of 3 Doors Down, passed away on Saturday,” the band said in a statement. “Brad helped redefine mainstream rock music, blending post-grunge accessibility with emotionally direct songwriting and lyrical themes that resonated with everyday listeners. His music reverberated far beyond the stage, creating moments of connection, joy, faith, and shared experiences that will live on long after the stages he performed on.”
Arnold was hailed as “a devoted husband” and died “surrounded by loved ones.”
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“Above all, he was a devout husband to Jennifer, and his kindness, humour, and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him,” the band continued. “Those closest to him will remember not only his talent, but his warmth, humility, faith, and deep love for his family and friends.”
Brad Arnold, singer and founding member of 3 Doors Down, has died after a battle with cancer. Photo by Scott Gries /Getty Images
The band played at President Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017 alongside other music stars like Toby Keith.
“We love America,” Arnold told TMZ. “It’s a great honour to be here.”
Arnold said he considered himself very lucky to have enjoyed a career in the music business, telling the Associated Press in 2011, “If you do something as long as we’ve done it, you can’t help but get better at it, you know?”
On social media, fans paid tribute to Arnold’s lasting impact on music.
“Thank you for all the awesome music throughout the years, Brad. You’ll always be in our memories,” one person wrote.
“You are with our beloved creator now. My heart breaks for your beautiful family, friends, loved ones and fans. Soar high Brad. You are dearly missed Sir,” another commented.
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“RIP Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down, I love this band. Brad was great, an inspiration, and he unapologetically loved Jesus. Praying for his family and friends,” Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X.
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