Maurice Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, died on January 12, 2003, at the age of 53. His cause of death wasvolvulus, a twisting of the intestine that results in bowel obstruction (blockage). His family—including wife Yvonne, son Adam, and daughter Samantha—were at Gibb’s bedside when he died at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.Michael Brennan / Getty ImagesHow Maurice Gibb DiedGibb was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, after experiencing intense abdominal pain. The pain was due to volvulus, a twisted section of the intestine.While awaiting intestinal surgery, Gibb reportedly went intocardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart stops beating. This weakened his condition.The damaged section of the intestine was removed in surgery, and afterward, Gibb was listed in “critical but stable” condition. However, he died at 1 a.m. the next morning.What Is Volvulus?Volvulus occurs when a section of the intestine twists, causing a blockage that may cut off blood flow. The condition can occur in the small orlarge intestine, but is most common in the sigmoid (which attaches to the rectum) andcecal(beginning of the large intestine) sections of the colon.People with certain health conditions that affect or put pressure on the intestines, such as the congenitalHirschsprung’s disease, may have an increased risk for volvulus.This also includes people withParkinson’s diseaseandmultiple sclerosis.Bowel obstructionrequires immediate medical attention. Patients may be treated with surgery or, in mild cases, other interventions. If treated promptly, most people recover from the condition.Volvulus SymptomsSigns of volvulus include:Abdominal pain and cramping that comes and goesSevere constipation, with inability to pass gas or feces (poop)Abdominal swelling (bloating)Nausea and vomitingThe Bee GeesMaurice Gibb sang and played keyboard, guitar, bass, and percussion for the Bee Gees. The pop music group also featured Gibb’s brothers, Barry and Robin.The Bee Gees became an international sensation in the 1970s and had nine Billboard number-one hits.Their most popular songs include “How Deep Is Your Love?,” “Stayin' Alive,” and “You Should Be Dancing.“During the 1980s, as disco music declined in popularity, the Bee Gees were taken less seriously. However, in 1997 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.How Many Bee Gees Are Still Alive?Barry Gibb and sister Lesley are the only surviving Gibb siblings. Lesley sang briefly with the group, but Barry is considered the last living member of the Bee Gees.Andy Gibb, the youngest brother, died in 1988 ofmyocarditis, an inflammation that weakens the heart muscle.Robin Gibb died on May 20, 2012.SummaryMaurice Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, died in 2003 from complications of volvulus. The condition involves a twisting of the intestine that causes a bowel obstruction. Symptoms of volvulus includeabdominal pain, constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.If you have any signs of volvulus, get immediate medical attention. When treated promptly with surgery or other interventions, most people recover from bowel obstruction.
Maurice Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, died on January 12, 2003, at the age of 53. His cause of death wasvolvulus, a twisting of the intestine that results in bowel obstruction (blockage). His family—including wife Yvonne, son Adam, and daughter Samantha—were at Gibb’s bedside when he died at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.
Michael Brennan / Getty Images
How Maurice Gibb Died
Gibb was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, after experiencing intense abdominal pain. The pain was due to volvulus, a twisted section of the intestine.While awaiting intestinal surgery, Gibb reportedly went intocardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart stops beating. This weakened his condition.
The damaged section of the intestine was removed in surgery, and afterward, Gibb was listed in “critical but stable” condition. However, he died at 1 a.m. the next morning.
What Is Volvulus?
Volvulus occurs when a section of the intestine twists, causing a blockage that may cut off blood flow. The condition can occur in the small orlarge intestine, but is most common in the sigmoid (which attaches to the rectum) andcecal(beginning of the large intestine) sections of the colon.
People with certain health conditions that affect or put pressure on the intestines, such as the congenitalHirschsprung’s disease, may have an increased risk for volvulus.This also includes people withParkinson’s diseaseandmultiple sclerosis.
Bowel obstructionrequires immediate medical attention. Patients may be treated with surgery or, in mild cases, other interventions. If treated promptly, most people recover from the condition.
Volvulus SymptomsSigns of volvulus include:Abdominal pain and cramping that comes and goesSevere constipation, with inability to pass gas or feces (poop)Abdominal swelling (bloating)Nausea and vomiting
Volvulus Symptoms
Signs of volvulus include:Abdominal pain and cramping that comes and goesSevere constipation, with inability to pass gas or feces (poop)Abdominal swelling (bloating)Nausea and vomiting
Signs of volvulus include:
The Bee Gees
Maurice Gibb sang and played keyboard, guitar, bass, and percussion for the Bee Gees. The pop music group also featured Gibb’s brothers, Barry and Robin.The Bee Gees became an international sensation in the 1970s and had nine Billboard number-one hits.Their most popular songs include “How Deep Is Your Love?,” “Stayin' Alive,” and “You Should Be Dancing.”
During the 1980s, as disco music declined in popularity, the Bee Gees were taken less seriously. However, in 1997 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
How Many Bee Gees Are Still Alive?Barry Gibb and sister Lesley are the only surviving Gibb siblings. Lesley sang briefly with the group, but Barry is considered the last living member of the Bee Gees.Andy Gibb, the youngest brother, died in 1988 ofmyocarditis, an inflammation that weakens the heart muscle.Robin Gibb died on May 20, 2012.
How Many Bee Gees Are Still Alive?
Barry Gibb and sister Lesley are the only surviving Gibb siblings. Lesley sang briefly with the group, but Barry is considered the last living member of the Bee Gees.Andy Gibb, the youngest brother, died in 1988 ofmyocarditis, an inflammation that weakens the heart muscle.Robin Gibb died on May 20, 2012.
Summary
Maurice Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, died in 2003 from complications of volvulus. The condition involves a twisting of the intestine that causes a bowel obstruction. Symptoms of volvulus includeabdominal pain, constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
If you have any signs of volvulus, get immediate medical attention. When treated promptly with surgery or other interventions, most people recover from bowel obstruction.
12 Sources
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Lin S, Kieper PM, Mullinax M, Vogel JW, Syres K.A Case of Cecal Volvulus in the Setting of Multiple Sclerosis. Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery. 2024; 4(4). doi: 10.53785/2769-2779.1258.
National Library of Medicine.Intestinal Obstruction Repair.
The Guardian.Maurice Gibb, talented but tormented Bee Gee, dies.
Billboard.Bee Gees rank third among groups for most Hot 100 no. 1s in history.
Bee Gees.Hall of fame induction: the Bee Gees 1997.
Daily Telegraph.Lesley Evans, the sister who once was a Bee Gee.
Biography.Andy Gibb biography.
CNN.Robin Gibb, member of the Bee Gees, dies after battle with cancer.
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