wahlberg family
Donnie Wahlberg, their mother Alma Wahlberg, chef Paul Wahlberg, and Mark Wahlberg attend the grand opening of Wahlburgers on October 24, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Marc Andrew Deley/FilmMagic via Getty Images
  • Mark and Donnie Wahlberg revealed on Sunday their mother, Alma Wahlberg, has died.
  • Alma, 78, appeared on the family's A&E TV series, "Wahlburgers."
  • The matriarch of the famous family had dealt with health issues and dementia in recent years, People reported.
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Alma Wahlberg, the mother of actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg, has died at age 78.

On Sunday, the two brothers paid tribute to their mother, who appeared on the long-running A&E series "Wahlburgers." People reported that Alma suffered health issues, including dementia.

Donnie, a member of New Kids on the Block, shared a touching video featuring Alma on Instagram and wrote a lengthy tribute in the caption.

A post shared by DONNIE WAHLBERG (@donniewahlberg)

'"I'm so blessed to have been brought into this world by, raised by, taught by and set on my life's path by, such an amazing woman," wrote Donnie, 51. "My mom Alma's joy for life, love and people - combined with a pride in her humble beginnings and refusal to forget where she came from - undoubtedly shaped me into the man that I am."

Donnie applauded his mother for raising him and his eight siblings, calling her "epitome of the word grace."

"That was Alma - mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, friend, ally, warrior, angel. She made no apologies for who she was, but never put herself above anyone else," Donnie wrote. "She kicked our butts if we messed up, kicked anyone else's butts if they messed with us. Taught us right, made us pay the price when we were wrong."

Mark, 49, shared a photo of Alma on Instagram with the caption, "My angel. Rest in peace."

A post shared by Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg)

Alma is the mother to nine children: Arthur, Paul, Jim, Robert, Donnie, Mark, Michelle, Debbie, and Tracey. She was married to their father, Donald Wahlberg, for 17 years before they divorced in 1982. Donald Wahlberg died in 2008.

In July 2020, Donnie updated fans on Instagram about Alma's health condition. He shared a photo of him and Alma locked in a sweet embrace.

"During my visit, she didn't remember much, and was often confused, but somehow she was still Alma," wrote Donnie. "She still lights up a room. She still made me smile. She's still stubborn. And she still loves her baby Donnie."

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