Wilson had twice lost finals at the iconic tournament, defeated in 2018 by Mark Allen before losing last year to Shaun Murphy, and may well have suffered the same fate this time around had he been playing anyone other than an out-of-sorts Higgins.
The Scot won the Masters in 1999 and 2006, but Sunday was a night to forget for the 50-year-old, who had played well through the rest of the tournament to become the oldest player to reach a Triple Crown final.
As it was, a nervy match played out between the pair, with regulation pots missed all over and at one stage a period of nearly 24 minutes going without a ball potted in the 11th frame.
But that won't bother Wilson, who outlasted his opponent to scoop the £350,000 prize and lift the Paul Hunter Trophy for the first time.
"Incredible," Wilson told BBC Sport. "In 2018, when I lost in the final, I cried like a little girl. I'm trying not to cry now because it means so much to me.
"It was an absolute honour, an absolute privilege to share the table with not only a legend but an idol of mine. I don't ever want to tell him that because I need to try and beat him!
"It was just an absolute dogfight from frame one, frame two, and I just tried to be as dogged as John has been over the years, and that's why he's been so successful.
"I'm glad he's managed to give me one for a change."
Wilson was one frame away from defeat in his quarter-final against Neil Robertson as well as his semi-final against Wu Yize, and made light of his ability to entertain fans at his own expense.
"Whoever comes to watch me, I never make it easy for myself, so you're guaranteed to have many frames to watch," he said.
"I always seem to do it the hard way. I don't know why, it frustrates the life out of me, but I will always give it my all.
"Even if I'm not there, even if I'm struggling, I will fight to the end until I finally get my hands on some silverware. Thankfully, I've managed to do that."
It was a sixth Masters final for Higgins, who paid tribute to his opponent as well as the fans in attendance.
"The crowd were fantastic," he told BBC Sport. "The entrance in tonight was one of the best experiences I've had as a snooker player.
"The conditions were absolutely fantastic as well, but I was just useless.
"Take no credit away, Kyren was by far the better player. He was totally dominant today - 10-6, and it wasn't even a 10-6 match.
"It's disappointing because the last two finals we've played in, I've got out like a light in the final. It's disappointing but hey ho."
Higgins said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his week at Alexandra Palace, where he beat the reigning world champion, Zhao Xintong, and the current world number one, Judd Trump, on his way to the final.
It's been a good week; I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Great event, great crowd to play in front of," he said.
"I'm just disappointed with the way I played in the final, really disappointed, but tonight is Kyren's night, so congratulations. He's a great champion."
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