She’s 83 and Facing Dementia — But Her Husband, 20 Years Younger, Stays by Her Side

This 83-Year-Old Legend Battles Dementia Beside Her Husband, Who Is Over Two Decades Younger – Their Love Story

Over a year ago, the veteran star’s fourth wife bravely revealed her illness to the world. Since then, he has opened up about the heartbreaking journey of watching the woman he loves slowly fade before his eyes. The emotional toll has been immense—he describes the experience as nothing short of “painful.”

To care for his beloved wife around the clock as she battles the challenges of dementia, soap opera legend Scott Brand made the selfless decision to step away from his career. Recently, he shared a heartfelt photo of the cherished English actress on social media, instantly stirring an outpouring of emotion from fans.

In June 2023, after months of uncertainty and concern over her worsening memory, Brand revealed the diagnosis that shattered their world: dementia. The couple’s worst fears were confirmed—there would be no cure, no turning back.

“My darling wife and I have had to face the devastating reality of this heartbreaking diagnosis,” Brand shared at the time. He spoke candidly about her early struggles with forgetfulness—warning signs they now know marked the beginning of her decline.

“We now understand that there’s no hope of reversing her condition, and it will only continue to worsen—perhaps rapidly,” he said with painful honesty.

Despite the challenges, Brand shared that his wife still enjoys going out and reconnecting with familiar faces. But as her condition progressed, being recognized in public sometimes led to moments of confusion—especially when she was tired. In those vulnerable moments, he hoped people would show compassion.

With time, the impact of the illness has grown heartbreakingly clear. In a candid interview from March 2024, Brand offered another glimpse into their daily life, revealing that the vibrant, charismatic woman he once knew is slowly slipping away.

“All of that is now fading,” he said quietly. “And watching that deterioration… it’s incredibly painful.”

Once confident and meticulous about her appearance, she now struggles to recognize people—even loved ones. Often, she calls everyone “Scott,” a detail both tender and tragic. Anger has begun to replace the sparkle that once defined her.

Brand recalled how she never stepped outside without her makeup, how she adored her leopard-print outfits, and took pride in her appearance. Now, her lipsticks sit untouched, her once-beloved clothes hang forgotten in the closet.

Her mobility has also declined; she now relies on a wheelchair. The little rituals that once defined their love—hand-in-hand strolls, romantic dinners, the joy of planning holidays together—have quietly faded away. Brand reflects on them with a kind of reverent sorrow, holding tight to memories even as they drift further into the past.

Those cherished moments they once shared are now part of the past. Brand made a quiet vow: he would never leave her side. Travel is no longer an option for him—his world now revolves entirely around her care.

As he stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, the little things he once took for granted—catching a game with friends, enjoying a drink—slowly disappeared. Every day now requires careful planning, and more often than not, he’s too drained to even think about going out. Alcohol is off the table—he must always be ready to drive, just in case something goes wrong.

The constant demands began to take a toll on his own well-being. “The hardest part for me,” Brand confessed, “was accepting and coming to terms with the diagnosis.”

For a long time, he resisted outside help. The couple had always cherished their privacy, and he believed he could manage on his own. But reality set in fast. It became clear that no amount of love could make him superhuman. The weight of doing everything alone was crushing—and he admitted, with raw honesty, that it was “killing” him.

On top of the emotional strain, Brand found himself stepping into roles he had never held before. His wife had always managed their finances with care and precision—but now, she no longer grasped the value of money. Suddenly, the responsibility for everything at home fell squarely on his shoulders, and it was a world he was unaccustomed to navigating.

He urged others facing similar circumstances not to wait too long before asking for help. “Trying to handle it all on your own isn’t sustainable,” he said, with the hard-won wisdom of experience.

As the weight of daily caregiving grew heavier, Brand found much-needed support through the Alzheimer’s Society. Their guidance, resources, and compassion became a source of strength. He and his wife became passionate advocates for the organization, calling it a “lifeline” in the wake of her diagnosis.

The poignant ad campaign “The Long Goodbye,” narrated by Colin Firth, captured the relentless, heart-wrenching nature of dementia. For Brand, the title couldn’t have been more fitting. It symbolized the gradual loss of life’s simple joys—spontaneous getaways, holding hands, dining out, or browsing shops together—all slipping away, one moment at a time.

Amid the emotional and logistical chaos, help arrived in the form of Julie Mann, a dementia adviser provided by the Alzheimer’s Society. Her guidance was invaluable. She supported Brand through the complexities of long-term planning, navigating financial paperwork, and ensuring his wife received the right treatment and care.

Without that support, Brand admitted, the burden would have been overwhelming. He described the help as constant, crucial, and nothing short of a lifeline in their most difficult hours.

Despite the vital support offered by the Alzheimer’s Society, moments of genuine happiness had become rare. Still, in April 2025, Scott Brand shared a glimpse of one of those fleeting good days—a tender photo of his beloved wife, 83-year-old soap icon Julie Goodyear.

The image, now deleted, was accompanied by a simple but heartfelt caption: “Just got home with my lovely wife and we’ve had a fantastic day together.”

It was the first public photo of Goodyear since her diagnosis in 2023, taken during a charity walk. Seated and dressed in a soft grey hoodie, her long silver hair swept gently back from her face, Goodyear looked serene. Her complexion was pale, time etched into her features with deep lines around her eyes and mouth. A few teeth were missing, but what stood out most was her unmistakable smile—a fragile but radiant reminder of the woman she had always been.

The photo quickly drew attention online, stirring a wave of mixed reactions. While many fans praised the raw honesty and courage behind the post, others questioned whether such intimate moments should be shared so publicly.

The photo sparked an immediate and passionate response online. While some expressed outrage, others offered heartfelt support. One critic wrote bluntly, “I feel absolutely DISGUSTED that Julie Goodyear’s husband would release that photo of her.” Another added, “So very sad to see this photo. Julie was always so glamorous in Corrie. Let’s all remember her from those days.”

But for every critical voice, there were many more who stood by Brand’s decision. “Julie Goodyear’s husband did nothing wrong!” one supporter declared. “She is content and well-cared for. Should he keep her hidden just because it makes strangers uncomfortable?”

Others shared their own stories of caring for loved ones with dementia, finding beauty in the unfiltered reality. “My mum had dementia. I personally think the picture is lovely,” one user wrote. “She looks happy in her own little world and still has a lovely sparkle about her.”

There were countless comments filled with empathy and understanding: “Aww, so sad. Dementia is cruel.”

Just a few months earlier, in June 2024, Brand had posted a deeply personal tribute to the woman he still adores. Marking their 17th wedding anniversary, he shared a radiant photo from their wedding day. The caption read: “17 years today, me and my beautiful wife tied the knot—and every day is still special.”

Julie Goodyear first met Scott Brand in 1996, in the most ordinary of circumstances—he was delivering plaster to a home she was renovating. Yet from that simple moment, something extraordinary blossomed. Over a decade later, in 2007, they quietly tied the knot in a private ceremony. Brand, more than twenty years her junior, quickly became her rock.

Despite the age gap, their bond was built on warmth, humor, and mutual respect. Goodyear once playfully remarked that Brand knew exactly how to treat her right—and that their shared sense of mischief kept things lighthearted. She joked that he often teased about not being able to keep up with her, laughing, “She wears me out!”

Before Brand, Goodyear’s love life had been anything but easy. She had been married three times prior, each relationship marked by its own heartaches. Her first marriage came at just 17 years old, when she wed Ray Sutcliffe after discovering she was pregnant. The union was short-lived, and by 1963, their emotionally distant relationship had ended. After the birth of their son, Gary Goodyear, Sutcliffe left for Australia and never returned—cutting all ties with the family.

Goodyear’s path to lasting love was littered with heartbreak. Her second attempt at marriage, to Tony Rudman, proved to be another devastating chapter. Though their union officially lasted from 1973 to 1974, the reality unraveled within moments of saying “I do.” In her candid memoir, Just Julie, Goodyear revealed the chilling turn her fairytale wedding took.

As they left the church, Rudman suddenly gripped her arm tightly and hissed through clenched teeth, “Just get in the [expletive] car,” dragging her away from their guests. It was a moment that shattered any illusions of a loving partnership. He stormed out of their wedding reception without a word and never returned, leaving Goodyear alone to face the confused and concerned guests. She later admitted the marriage had cost her dearly—especially financially—though she never disclosed what had triggered Rudman’s shocking transformation.

In contrast, her third marriage brought a glimmer of peace and companionship. In 1985, she wed Richard Skrob, a wealthy American widower bravely battling leukemia. Their connection was immediate and deeply sincere. Skrob’s gentleness and quiet strength drew Goodyear in, and when he proposed, she said yes without hesitation. It was a relationship marked by tenderness, a much-needed balm after the wounds left by her earlier marriages.

However, Goodyear’s third marriage quickly took an unexpected and bewildering turn. Despite the promises of a new beginning, Richard Skrob’s behavior seemed to suggest otherwise. On their wedding night, instead of being by her side, he chose to go sailing. Even more bewildering was his decision not to return to Britain with her, as they had originally planned. By 1987, the marriage had ended, leaving Goodyear once again heartbroken and questioning her choices.

Despite these personal setbacks, Goodyear’s professional life was not without its own struggles. Early on, she faced her own battles in the entertainment industry. Her initial stint on Coronation Street in 1966, a dream role for many aspiring actors, was abruptly cut short after only six weeks. Devastated, she was left to pick up the pieces and find a new path forward.

For a time, she returned to typing and took on odd television roles, sometimes at the mercy of the industry’s whims. In one particularly strange instance, she even arrived at Granada Studios in a concrete mixer, prompting a sharp remark from veteran actress Pat Phoenix. Phoenix, never one to hold back, suggested that Goodyear consider training at Oldham Rep. Though her words stung, the advice proved invaluable, and the two eventually formed a strong friendship.

Determined to leave a lasting mark on the iconic character of Bet Lynch, Goodyear returned to Coronation Street four years later, this time with a six-month contract in hand. Her persistence paid off, and she quickly became a beloved part of the show’s legacy.