5 Questions That Have Always Piqued Curiosity About Andy Gibb

As the youngest member of the legendary Gibb family, which gave the world the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb enjoyed a brief but dazzling period of success in the late 1970s. However, his career was derailed by prolonged substance abuse. Just as he was preparing for a potential resurgence, Andy's life was cut short in 1988 at the age of 30. Below are five common inquiries about the late teen idol, Andy Gibb, whose life ended far too soon.

Was He Ever Part of the Bee Gees?

Born in England in 1958, Andy was the youngest of five siblings, including Barry, Maurice, Robin (the future Bee Gees), and his sister Lesley. At just six months old, his family relocated to Australia. By his preteen years, the Bee Gees had achieved fame in England, and Andy moved with his parents to Ibiza, Spain. He attended school in a Rolls Royce but left at 13 to pursue performing in bars.

"Everyone warned me I'd regret dropping out of school so early, but I couldn't imagine doing anything else," Andy once remarked, as reported by Biography.

Andy initially hoped to join the Bee Gees as their fourth member. However, his brother Barry, recognizing Andy's charm and vocal talent, encouraged him to pursue a solo career in Australia. After playing in a few bands, Andy impressed Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood, who signed him to a solo deal.

What Were His Biggest Hits?

In 1976, Andy relocated to Miami to record his debut album, "Flowing Rivers." His breakout single, "I Just Want to Be Your Everything," penned by Barry, soared to No. 1 in both the U.S. and Australia in 1977. This success was followed by another chart-topper, "Love Is (Thicker than Water)." The album achieved platinum status.

His second album, "Shadow Dancing," released in 1978, also earned platinum certification. The title track, co-written by all four Gibb brothers, became his most successful single, topping the Billboard charts for seven weeks and being named the No. 1 song of the year. Andy made history as the first male solo artist to score three consecutive No. 1 hits in under a year. Two additional tracks, "An Everlasting Love" and "Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love)," reached the top 10 in 1978. At just 20, Andy was at the peak of his career.

Despite his achievements, Andy struggled with self-doubt, often attributing his success to his family's influence rather than his own abilities. "Sometimes I'd say, 'Andy, look in the mirror. You've got everything — good looks, talent. Women adore you.' Men admired him too. But when he looked in the mirror, it seemed like he saw nothing," Jeff Witjas, Andy's agent from 1983 to 1985, shared with People magazine.

Who Was He Married to?

At just 18, Andy tied the knot with Kim Reeder, a receptionist of the same age, in Australia shortly before relocating to America. However, their marriage quickly unraveled as Andy fell into the grip of drug addiction. "Cocaine became his obsession. He grew depressed and paranoid, no longer the man I had married," Reeder revealed to People. She left him upon discovering her pregnancy and returned to Australia.

Years later, Andy started a romance with Victoria Principal, the "Dallas" star, who was eight years older. Despite their relationship, his struggles with substance abuse persisted. She issued an ultimatum: "I told him to choose between me or drugs. Deep down, he wanted to pick me... but he chose drugs," Principal shared on VH1's "Behind the Music."

How Did Andy Gibb Die?

As his chart performance waned, Andy explored other ventures, such as hosting "Solid Gold" and taking on a role in the musical "The Pirates of Penzance." However, his struggles with addiction caused him to miss key appearances, leading to setbacks. His family intervened, and he sought treatment. After signing a new record deal, Andy seemed to be turning his life around while living in England.

On March 10, 1988, Andy passed away in a hospital due to heart inflammation. He had been experiencing stomach pains, and no traces of alcohol or drugs were found in his system at the time of death, as reported by The Associated Press. Still, years of substance abuse likely weakened his heart. "I always expected to receive such devastating news one day," Andy's ex-wife Reeder told People. "It was inevitable."

What Happened to His Daughter?

Andy and Reeder had a daughter named Peta, who grew up in Australia. After the age of 2, Peta (now known as Peta Weber) never saw her father again.

"I never had the opportunity to truly know my father," Weber shared with News.com.Au in 2017. "As I got older, I discovered he was famous and had renowned siblings, but to me, he was just a voice on the phone." Andy passed away when she was 10, and Weber faced bullying at school once her connection to him became public. Over the years, she rarely discussed her famous relatives.

In 2016, her cousin Samantha (Maurice's daughter) reached out, inviting her to participate in a project where the Gibb brothers' children would re-record classic Bee Gees songs. Initially hesitant, despite her singing abilities, Weber eventually decided to join.

"My father is a vital part of the Gibb musical heritage. I realized that if anyone should represent him, it should be me," she said.

The Gibb Collective's project, titled "Please Don't Turn Out the Lights," was released in 2017. Working on it proved to be a deeply healing experience for Weber.

"I've developed a deep bond with my cousins. This project led to a long-awaited family reunion, something I never anticipated. Finally, I can embrace that part of my life positively, on my own terms, and in a way that fills me with pride," she told News.com.Au.