David Bowie lived a life defined by constant reinvention, and his romantic history reflected that same restless evolution. From his early mod days in London through the theatrical glam rock explosion and his quiet final years, his partners shaped his personal world just as much as his artistic output.
Understanding Bowie's relationships requires looking past the mythical stage personas. While pop culture often reduces his romantic life to headline-grabbing rumors, his actual history involved long-term creative partnerships, an open marriage, and a lasting final chapter that anchored his later decades.
The Formative Years and Early Loves
Before becoming Ziggy Stardust, David Robert Jones was a teenager navigating the vibrant London art and music scenes. His early romantic life was intertwined with his artistic awakening.
Hermione Farthingale
In the late 1960s, Bowie met dancer and actress Hermione Farthingale at a London dance class run by Lindsay Kemp. Farthingale became a central figure in his life, inspiring songs like "Letter to Hermione" and "An Occasional Dream." They lived together in a modest flat in London, sharing a lifestyle centered around avant-garde performance and modern dance. The relationship ended when Farthingale left for Norway to work on a film, leaving Bowie heartbroken—a creative sting that heavily influenced his breakthrough track "Space Oddity." More insights regarding the matter are covered by Associated Press.
The Glam Era and Open Marriage
The 1970s brought staggering fame and a radical shift in how Bowie approached public and private life.
Angie Bowie
In March 1970, Bowie married Mary Angela Barnett (Angie). Angie was a vital partner in constructing the early glam persona, acting as an aggressive manager of his image and public perception. They had a son, Duncan Jones, in 1971. By mutual agreement, they maintained an open marriage, navigating numerous affairs on both sides while remaining legally married for a decade. The marriage disintegrated under the weight of heavy drug use and exhaustive touring schedules, ending in a finalized divorce in 1980.
Ava Cherry
During his mid-1970s soul and R&B transformation—the era that birthed Young Americans—Bowie entered a multi-year personal and professional relationship with backing singer Ava Cherry. Cherry lived with Bowie and Angie during the chaotic Los Angeles years, heavily influencing his look and music. Cherry noted that Bowie acted as a mentor, introducing her to classical music, German expressionism, and avant-garde art before they parted ways as his life shifted toward Berlin.
Romy Haag
During his pivotal creative period in Berlin, Bowie was romantically linked to Dutch-born performer and club owner Romy Haag. Haag ran a famous transvestite cabaret club in Berlin, aligning closely with Bowie's immersion in European art, electronic experimentation, and sobriety recovery. Though brief, the relationship anchored him within the local counterculture during the recording of the celebrated Berlin Trilogy albums.
The 1980s and Transition Years
As Bowie transitioned from experimental art-rock into mainstream pop stardom with Let's Dance, his lifestyle stabilized, though high-profile romances continued.
Melissa Hurley
In 1987, Bowie met American dancer Melissa Hurley during auditions and rehearsals for his massive Glass Spider Tour. Hurley became his primary romantic partner through the late 1980s, traveling the globe with him. They were engaged in 1989, but the relationship ended amicably in 1990 during the Sound+Vision tour, largely due to the generational age gap and Bowie's desire to re-evaluate his path.
The Final Chapter
Iman
In October 1990, Bowie met Somali-American supermodel Iman at a dinner party in Los Angeles. Bowie later described it as love at first sight. The couple married in a private ceremony in Switzerland in 1992, followed by a celebration in Florence.
Unlike his tumultuous earlier decades, Bowie found lasting stability with Iman. They welcomed a daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, in 2000. They remained married until Bowie's death from liver cancer in January 2016. Iman has frequently spoken about how deep their bond was, stating that she will never remarry and continues to honor his memory through dedicated tributes.
You can read more about his life archives on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or explore biographical records via the BBC Music archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was David Bowie openly bisexual?
Yes. In a famous 1972 interview with Michael Watts for Melody Maker, Bowie publicly stated that he was bisexual. Over the years, he occasionally walked back or downplayed the statement, noting that it was a product of the permissive counterculture of the era, but his historical relationships reflect attraction to both men and women.
How long was David Bowie married to Iman?
David Bowie and Iman were married for nearly 24 years, from their wedding in 1992 until his passing in 2016. Their partnership remains widely celebrated as one of the most enduring rock-and-roll marriages.
Did David Bowie have children from his relationships?
Yes, he had two children. He shared his first son, film director Duncan Jones (born Zowie Bowie), with his first wife, Angie Bowie. He shared his younger daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, with his second wife, Iman.
