Whether they were high school sweethearts or short-term lovers, these rockstar wives have certainly made their mark in music history. Take a look at the first ladies of rock n' roll...
Patti Scialfa – Bruce Springsteen
The talented Patti Scialfa met Bruce Springsteen in the early 80's at the Stone Pony, a bar in New Jersey. Scialfa then joined the band in 1984, after being pretty reluctant at first, and they became inseparable. They had their first child in 1990, married in 1991, and have been together since!
The power couple is seen by many in the music industry as a symbol of stability and endurance in the oftentimes uneasy world of rockstars and their wives. With 3 children and a lifetime of memories together, the couple now resides in Colts Neck, New Jersey, with homes in Florida and Los Angeles as well. Rock on!
Trudie Styler – Sting
Trudie Styler overcame a turbulent childhood of bullying. At the age of 2, a tragic incident left her with a face full of scars. This was often extremely difficult for her, especially when she was out in public. Luckily, her sense of self changed completely when she met The Police rockstar, Sting.
Sting made her feel beautiful despite the scars. They grew close and dated for an entire decade before he proposed. She nearly sprinted down the aisle in 1992, and they have remained married for nearly 3 decades. Trudie and Sting have spent almost 4 decades of their lives together so far and rock on to this day.
Patti Hansen – Keith Richards
Model-turned-actress Patti Hansen has appeared on the covers of Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Harper's Bazaar. She met The Rolling Stones' co-founder and guitarist, Keith Richards, in the '80s, and after they fell hard for each other, they married in Mexico in 1983 on Keith's 40's birthday.
Many rock music lovers know the pair as one of the most solid couples in rock and roll history. During their marriage, they have 2 daughters together and are still madly in love. They now focus on family and support each other in their endeavors, including Patti's many gigs and Keith's music.
Sharon Osbourne – Ozzy Osbourne
Sharon met Black Sabbath’s lead vocalist, Ozzy Osbourne when she was 18-years-old. When he began his solo-artist career, she took over his management, and the rest was history. They were wed in 1982, and although their marriage wasn't perfect, they managed to create a family with 3 children and their own TV show, The Osbournes.
Sharon's career included many things, from creating her own company, Sharon Osbourne Management, to years as a judge on The X Factor and America's Got Talent, it's believed by many that she has rightfully earned the awards she has accumulated throughout her career, including a Silver Clef Award and Best Reality TV Show Award.
Jill Tavelman – Phil Collins
Actress Jill Tavelman caught Phil Collin's eye in 1980. After a 4-year romance, the couple finally tied the knot. Jill birthed their daughter, Lily Collins (yes, the now-well-known actress) in 1989. Outside of being married to a rockstar and having a baby, Jill continued to take leaps in the entertainment industry.
Jill became known for her roles in the 1988 movie Buster, and the 1994's, Extra with Billy Bush. Although her career seemed to be on the rise, her personal life briefly headed on a downward path. She divorced Phil in 1996, focused on life with Lily, and later became an architect, while Phil went on to marry and divorce, again.
Mayte Garcia – Prince
Singer, actress, and choreographer Mayte Garcia was Prince's first wife. They married on Valentine's Day in 1996 when Garcia was 22-years-old, and Prince was 37. After 4 whirlwind years of marriage, they divorced, but nevertheless, Mayte remained hopeful.
Garcia had a thing for guys who rocked. Post-divorce, she dated and was briefly engaged to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. Mayte began and soared in her career as part of Prince's performance group. When his tragic passing shook the world in 2016, she turned to literature and wrote The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince.
Susan Holmes – Duff McKagan
Model and fashion designer Susan Holmes is the third wife of Guns N' Roses bass guitarist, Duff McKagan. The couple married in 1999 and have 2 children together. Throughout her career, Holmes started her own company, Susan Holmes Swimwear; and has featured on the covers of some big-name magazines such as Playboy, Vogue, and Elle.
Susan is a well-known face on the runway. She has modeled for Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Chanel, Versace, and more. She was even a creative director and guest judge on America's Next Top Model. The couple remains married to this day, and have also appeared together on the TV show, Married to Rock.
Valerie Bertinelli – Eddie Van Halen
Hot in Cleveland TV star and actress Valerie Bertinelli was singer-songwriter Eddie Van Halen's first wife. Married in 1981, they had their son, Wolfgang, a decade later. They divorced in 2007 due to Van Halen's substance abuse, as explained in Bertinelli's autobiography, Losing it: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time.
Valerie has landed 52 roles on the big screen throughout her ongoing career. She won 6 awards, including 2 Golden Globe Awards and 2 Daytime Emmy Awards. Valerie remarried in 2011 to her financial planner Tom Vitale. Wolfgang followed in his parents' footsteps and became a bassist for Van Halen until their disbandment in 2020.
Adelle Lutz – David Byrne
Model and actress Adelle Lutz made a name for herself throughout many careers. Aside from the 2 already mentioned, she also worked as a successful costume fashion designer. In 1982 Lutz met the lead singer of Talking Heads, David Byrne. Her career took off when she created costumes for his movie, True Stories.
The pair married in 1987 and had a daughter together, Malu Abeni Valentine Byrne, 2 years later. Unfortunately, by 2004, the couple split. The actress and her daughter moved to Los Angeles in 2008, and although she didn't remarry, Adelle became a grandmother in 2018 when her first grandchild, Bo, was born.
Priscilla Presley – Elvis Presley
The beautiful Priscilla Presley stole Elvis' achy breaky heart when they met back in 1959 while he was serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. At the time, Priscilla was only 14-years-old. But later down the line, she'd also make a name for herself as Jenna Wade on the hit show, Dallas.
They married 8 years later and had their first and only child together, Lisa Marie in 1968. Unfortunately, their love story had a very public ending when Elvis and Priscilla divorced 5 years later. The King of Rock tragically passed away in 1977. Priscilla did not remarry, proving that the King was the only one who had her heart.
Pattie Boyd – Eric Clapton
The stunning British model Pattie Boyd loved The Beatles. She was the first wife of guitarist George Harrison, then they divorced, and 2 years later, she became the first wife of guitarist Eric Clapton in 1979. The rock and roll lifestyle eventually grew to be too much for Patti to handle.
Unfortunately, their marriage lasted only a decade, but in that time, Boyd became the inspiration behind 3 of Clapton's greatest hits, "Bell Bottom Blues," "Layla," and "Wonderful Tonight." Not to worry, Patti wasn't too discouraged by the 2 divorces because in 2015, at the age of 70, she remarried for the third time. Atta girl!
Sheryl Goddard – Alice Cooper
Actress Sheryl Goddard met her husband while performing on his TV show, the Alice Cooper Show. Cooper fell hard for Sheryl and was said to have been more infatuated with her than with his 2011 induction to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The two fell madly in love, married in 1976, and went on to have 3 children together.
Despite some bumps along the way, they grew and strengthened together, which led them to remain married to this day! In addition, their firstborn daughter, Calico, went on to follow in her parent's footsteps and became an accomplished actress, singer, and director.
Bobbie Brown – Jani Lane
Miss Louisiana Teen USA 1987, AKA Bobbie Brown met Jani Lane, lead vocalist of the rock band Warrant on set of the band's Cherry Pie music video. They married in 1991, but divorced 2 years later. Brown then got engaged to another rockstar, Mötley Crüe drummer, Tommy Lee, but they broke things off about as fast as they began.
With morale still high, Brown joined the reality TV show Ex-Wives of Rock, and later released an autobiography called Dirty Rocker Boys: Love and Lust on the Sunset Strip in 2013. She has since created what was once a small e-commerce shop that has now become an international success.
Jerry Hall – Mick Jagger
Jerry Hall, one of the most successful actresses in the '70s, met The Rolling Stone's frontman, Mick Jagger, in 1977. They quickly fell in love and became a golden couple of the rock world. Hall appeared on the cover of almost every big magazine at the time while Jagger took over the stage.
The couple had 4 children together during their (later annulled) marriage. Their most famous daughter, Georgia May Jagger, grew up to follow in her mother's footsteps and pursued a career in modeling as well. Since her split from Jagger, Hall has played her hand in reality TV and remarried in 2016 to media mogul, Rupert Murdoch.
Alana Stewert– Rod Stewart
Alana Stewert entered the '70s and dipped her toes into modeling and acting. At that time she was married to her first husband, George Hamilton, from 1972-1975. Soon after, she met British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart, and they married in 1979. They had 2 children together, but unfortunately, their union lasted only 5 years.
Divorce didn't get Stewert down, and neither did her health. After receiving a diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus in the early '90s, she went on to land roles in 12 movies and 9 TV shows. In 2015, she starred in an 8-episode reality TV show on E! called Stewarts & Hamiltons, which followed the life of her famously blended family.
Barbara Bach – Ringo Starr
Model and former Bond Girl, Barbara Bach married The Beatles legendary drummer, Ringo Starr, in 1981 after they met on the set of Caveman a year prior. It seemed like all they really needed was love because the couple has since spent nearly 4 decades of marriage together!
Barbara appeared in 28 films throughout her career but has since turned to more personal roles. She has come into view in some of Starr's music videos and has even joined him on tours across the UK and the rest of the world! Bach and Starr are a prime example of a rock star power couple.
Nancy Shevell – Paul McCartney
Shevell started dating the Beatles star Paul McCartney in 2007. He proposed in May of 2011, and 5 months later, they were married. Nancy then adopted the worldwide nickname "Lady McCartney", while Paul got to writing more music. He came up with My Valentine, created with Nancy in mind.
After a few different marriages in the past, Paul settled down in another comfortable relationship. Lady McCartney and Paul are still married today, and have supported each other through some of life's most challenging times. Despite the lows, this couple chooses to relish in the highs of love.
Dorothea Hurley – Jon Bon Jovi
Dorothea Hurley knew the rock and roll hunk Jon Bon Jovi before the rest of the world. As high school sweethearts, the couple dated for years before getting married in 1989 in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas. At the time, they didn't even have wedding bands to give to each other, but their love wasn't determined by that.
Dorothea and Jon have 4 children together and are still together to this day! Hurley became a karate instructor while the rockstar continues to spend many months on the road. Throughout their marriage, they have managed to create a well-balanced life together that stands strong to this day!
Courtney Love – Kurt Cobain
Courtney and Kurt were believed by many to be one of the ultimate rock and roll couples in the industry. Love was the lead singer of Hole, an alternative rock group, while Cobain was Nirvana's frontman until his tragic death in 1994. They shared some of the best and worst times, but still managed to rock the '90s with style.
The rockstars shared a beach wedding and welcomed their daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, 6 months later. This all took place just 2 years before Kurt's death. After he passed, Love experienced many personal struggles in the spotlight as a widow and newly-single mom. Since then, she hasn't had the best of luck in relationships.
Heather Locklear – Richie Sambora
Famously known by many as one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood, Heather Locklear married Richie Sambora, lead guitarist of the Bon Jovi band in 1994. Sambora spent more than 30 years with the Bon Jovi band while the glamorous Locklear rose to the top of her industry.
The couple had a daughter together, named Ava Sambora before they divorced in 2007. Ava is now a 19-year-old aspiring actress who elegantly followed the footsteps of her mother. The proud mom has since appeared in several TV shows, including a recurring role on Melrose Place from 1993-1999 and again in a 2009 remake.
Iman – David Bowie
Model, Iman, met iconic British singer, David Bowie at a private event in the early '90s. They married in 1992 and had what society would deem as a successful marriage and seemed very happy together. In 2000, they welcomed their daughter, Alexandria Zahara Jones, into the world.
Iman was left widowed when Bowie passed away in 2016. In tribute to him, she wrote, "The struggle is real, but so is God." She was by her husband's side until his passing, then turned her focus to business. The model soon created her own cosmetics company, Iman Cosmetics, and fashion line, Global Chic.
Pamela Anderson – Tommy Lee
Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson married Tommy Lee, the bad boy of the rock world, in 1995 in an intimate beach wedding only 5 days after they met! Anderson sported a bikini to their wedding instead of a dress, which seemed fitting for the actress due to her stardom roles at the time.
Throughout their marriage, the couple had 2 sons together and a whole lot of drama. They divorced in 1998 but rekindled their love a couple of years later, only to finally split up again in 2008. After the split, Pamela stuck to her roots and took over the screen in TV-show-turned-movie, 2017's Baywatch.
Teresa Barrick – Steven Tyler
Fashion designer Teresa Barrick met Aerosmith's frontman, Steven Tyler, in 1982 while she was working for the band as their, you guessed it, fashion designer. They fell hard for each other and after 6 years of dating, married in 1988. The couple had 2 children during their marriage, which unfortunately came to an end in 2006.
Since their divorce, Teresa has devoted her life to raising her kids and maintaining a low profile. She never remarried, and hasn't engaged in any public relationships of any kind. Barrick and Tyler have remained close throughout the years, as it seems both of them 'didn't want to miss a thing.'
Karen Elson – Jack White
Formal model and red-headed beauty Karen Elson met Jack White when they worked on a music video for a song called Blue Orchid for the White Stripes, which Jack was the frontman for. They married in 2005 and shared a passion for creating music both separately and together.
Before the couple split in 2013, Jack helped produce some music that Karen created. She gained confidence and continued to work on her music throughout the years. Elson released her most recent solo-album Double Roses, in 2017. Soon after, she became the face of Jo Malone London, representing them worldwide.
Shannon Tweed – Gene Simmons
Actress, film producer, and model Shannon Tweed linked up with Israeli-American musician and TV personality, Gene Simmons in 1983. Tweed must have loved the KISS bass guitarist a lot because the lovebirds dated for a whopping 28 years before Gene proposed on their reality TV show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels.
They finally married in 2011 and remain an item today! They have 2 children together and starred on their reality TV show together from 2006-2012. In her prime, Tweed was named Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1982. She had many theatrical roles throughout her career and most recently became the narrator of Ex-Wives of Rock.
Dita Von Teese – Marilyn Manson
Burlesque dancer, Dita Von Teese had a famous groupie who had already made a name for himself. Marilyn Manson, lead singer of the Marilyn Manson band had crushed on Von Teese for years before he proposed. They married in 2005, but their union was short-lived. Dita loved Marilyn, but there was one thing she refused to stand for.
Just 2 years after they were wed, they divorced. Von Teese was once quoted in an interview, "I wasn’t supportive of his partying or his relationship with another girl. As much as I loved him, I wasn’t going to be part of that." Dita found love again and has been in a relationship with graphic designer Adam Rajcevich since 2014.
Ali Hewson – Bono
Ali Hewson met her husband, U2 member, Bono before the group made it big. Together in their 38 years of marriage, they have proven that love can outweigh anything from worldwide tours to irritating paparazzi. They have 4 children together and divide their time between their multiple homes in the U.S., France, and Ireland.
Ali is Bono, AKA Paul Hewson's, inspiration, as she was the muse behind some of the band's most popular hits, including Sweetest Thing. With her degree in Politics and Sociology from University College, Dublin, Ali became a strong activist since the '90s and has encouraged her kids to follow their passions all the same.
Josie Stevens – Steve Stevens
Television personality and model Josie Stevens met the lead guitarist for Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, and fell equally as in love with his music as his hair. They married in 2008 and are still together today, even after making an appearance on E!'s reality TV show, Married to Rock alongside some of the other couples in this list.
Josie created and manages her own clothing, lingerie, and rave-wear line, Josie Loves J Valentine, known for its tastefully provocative style. Stevens has dressed stars like Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, and Gwen Stefani. Just goes to show that rock, rap, and pop, really can mesh together well, especially when it comes to fashion.
Adrienne Nesser – Billie Joe Armstrong
When Adrienne Nesser fell in love with Green Day back in the good old '90s, she probably never imaged that she would get the chance to marry one of her rockstar idols. But, her dreams became a reality in 1994 when she married Billie Joe Armstrong, and went on to have 2 sons with him.
We're sure they've told their kids the story many times before, but we are just in love with the fact that they met at Green Day's first tour in 1990. The couple are still married today and raise their sons with music in their home and hearts. The 2 young boys both play musical instruments, following in their dad's footsteps.
Sara Lownds – Bob Dylan
Sara Lownds was the first wife of rockstar icon Bob Dylan. The couple quietly married in 1965, and had 4 children together. Music writers have cited their marriage as the inspiration behind many of Dylan's songs in the 1960s and '70s including Abandoned Love, Sara, and Sad Eyed Lady of Lowlands on his Blood on the Tracks album.
Their son, Jakob, has said that the album’s lyrics are “My parents talking.” As some might have gathered from Dylan’s music, the couple experienced a rocky marriage throughout the years, which led them to divorce after 12 years. Sara then went on to play her hand in film, and appeared as Clara in Renaldo and Clara in 1978.
Jane Benyo – Tom Petty
The lead vocalist from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers was Mr. Heartbreaker himself - but ironically, he was quite the opposite! In 1974, the singer married his high school sweetheart, Jane Benyo. And although they met at such a young age, the happy couple proved love conquers all until they divorced 22 years later!
Although the high school sweethearts didn't last, the couple had two children together, Adira and Kimberly. Just a few years later, Petty remarried former educator Dana York having a small ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple was together for 16 years before the rockstar tragically passed away in 2017.
Maureen Santoro – Steve Van Zandt
Famously known as Little Steven, Steve Van Zandt married his wife, actress Maureen Santoro on New Year's Eve of 1982 in the Big Apple. Being E Street Band's guitarist had many perks, like having co-band member Bruce Springsteen as his best man! The couple even acted alongside one another on the hit TV series, The Sopranos.
Four decades later, the couple is still happily married! Besides continuing their acting careers, the Van Zandts are involved in philanthropic work. In 2007, the star founded the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, TeachRock, a nonprofit association providing teachers with the tools to teach students about rock n' roll history.
Suzette Snider – Dee Snider
Lead singer and songwriter of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister married the Italian beauty Suzette Snider after she snuck into one of his shows at just 15 years old with her cousin's fake ID, and well, the rest was history. The couple married in 1981 and almost called it quits in 1984.
When Twisted Sister was at its peak, they almost broke up, but the couple knew it was meant to be. Fast forward 41 years, and they are still married today! Suzette and Dee Snider have four children, and their youngest daughter is even a metal-head just like her dad!
Perla Ferrar – Slash
Guns N' Roses icon, Slash truly doesn't need much of an intro; he's Slash! This rockstar met his second wife, Perla Ferrar, a few years after the divorce of his first wife, Renee Suran. Regardless of Slash filing for divorce twice in four years, the couple was together on and off again for years.
Before the acclaimed guitarist married Perla Ferrar, the rockstar married model turned actress Renee Suran in 1992 in California, and the couple stayed together for five years. Now that he has been divorced for a few years, the artist is dating Meegan Hodges, who he actually dated in the late 80s and early 90s. What a full circle.
Carmen Electra- Dave Navarro
It's no surprise a Baywatch alum made it onto this list: bombshell actress, model, and singer Carmen Electra. Electra married Dave Navarro, Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Pepper's guitarist, in 2003. And lucky for all of us, their wedding was televised on MTV's Til Death Do Us Part, which only lasted one season.
Despite getting divorced several years later, in 2007, the couple had no bad blood and remained pretty tight. In 2019, the actress even took to her Instagram to wish her ex-beau a happy birthday, writing, "my eternal love for u is beyond words." It sounds like these two have a whole lotta love for each other.
Gwen Stefani – Gavin Rossdale
We are all familiar with this rock n' roll power duo, so we know how the end of the story goes - but Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale were together for quite some time! The punk-rock lead singer of No Doubt met her now ex-husband, Rossdale, the lead singer of Bush, back when Stefani was on tour, and they married in 2002.
The couple has three children together and finalized their very public divorce in 2016. Stefani has recently remarried country singer Blake Shelton after meeting her co-star on the reality TV show, The Voice. From rock music to country music, it looks like Stefani has found her match.
Kristi Lynn Gibson – Bret Michaels
Although these two never made it down the aisle, Poison frontman Bret Michaels and long-time girlfriend Kristi Lynn Gibson were together for 18 years! In 2010, during the finale of the singer's VH1 Show, Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It, the rockstar got down on one knee and proposed to the love of his life.
Even though the couple called it quits, Michaels and Kristi Lynn Gibson still "remain great friends and committed loving parents to our daughters." "I am blessed to have someone as great as Kristi in my life in any capacity," the artist reported on his official website after the separation had been made public.
Jordyn Blum – Dave Grohl
Jordyn Blum is the woman who locked down the one and only legendary drummer Dave Grohl. The couple initially met in West Hollywood, California, in 2001 at the Sunset Marquis Whiskey Bar, which honestly just feels right. Grohl and Blum got married in 2003 and have three children together.
The couple is still happily married today, even after all the noise he must make drumming around the house! And while Grohl might be known as one of the greatest drummers of all times, from his talent in Nirvanna to later on establishing the Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl might be one of the best husbands too!
Sofia Coppola - Thomas Mars
One of the hottest and most talented couples in Hollywood, director and screenwriter Sofia Coppola and Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars met in 1999. The couple met when the French alternative rock musician contributed a soundtrack to Coppola's second film, and well, the rest is history!
The successful couple said their "I do's" in Southern Italy in 2011 and have two children together while still independently and together, crushing Hollywood. In 2020, the couple worked together when Mars' band composed the original music for his wife's latest film, On the Rocks. Talk about a power couple!
Gwyneth Paltrow – Chris Martin
This A-list pairing, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin was definitely one for the books. The actress met her soon-to-be rockstar husband for the first time after meeting each other backstage at a Coldplay concert. The two shared an instant bond and were together for eleven years before filing for divorce in 2014.
The ex-couple are still spotted together here and there with their two children and have a great relationship together. In an interview on Shop Today with Jill Martin, the actress confessed that the Coldplay frontman "is like my brother. You know, he's my family. I love him." And that, ladies and gentleman, is true love.