Heather Locklear became a fixture of American television in the 1980s and 1990s, starring in network touchstones like Dynasty and Melrose Place. While her professional life played out on millions of living room screens, her personal life—particularly her high-profile marriages to rock musicians—frequently captured global tabloid headlines.
Understanding Heather Locklear's romantic history means looking past the superficial gossip to examine the actual timelines of her marriages, engagements, and long-term partnerships. Two high-profile rock-star marriages, a broken engagement with a co-star, and a reconnection with a high school sweetheart define her relationship journey.
The First Marriage: Tommy Lee (1986–1993)
In the mid-1980s, Heather Locklear was the fresh-faced star of Aaron Spelling productions, and Tommy Lee was the wild, high-energy drummer for the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. Their pairing felt like a classic collision of the era's pop culture archetypes: the wholesome television star and the heavy metal bad boy.
The couple met backstage at an AC/DC concert in 1985. Romance bloomed quickly, and they married on May 10, 1986, in front of hundreds of guests at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
- The Dynamic: The marriage combined the peak of MTV hair-metal culture with primetime television royalty.
- The Split: After seven years together, Locklear filed for divorce in 1993, citing irreconcilable differences amid widespread media scrutiny over the marriage's strain and reported infidelity. The divorce was finalized later that year, leaving both free to move on to different chapters.
The Second Marriage: Richie Sambora (1994–2007)
Following her divorce from Tommy Lee, Locklear found love with another prominent rock guitarist: Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi. The two were introduced by mutual friends shortly after her split from Lee.
They married on December 17, 1994, in a ceremony in Paris. This marriage lasted significantly longer and brought a major family milestone.
- Children: On October 4, 1997, they welcomed their only child, daughter Ava Elizabeth Sambora. Ava later pursued modeling and acting, earning her degree from Loyola Marymount University.
- The Split: In February 2006, publicists confirmed that Locklear had filed for divorce from Sambora. The split played out through the legal system with custody arrangements and prenuptial agreements, concluding with a finalized divorce in April 2007. Despite the end of the marriage, both parents remained dedicated to raising their daughter. You can read more about the band's history on the Official Bon Jovi Site.
Engagements and Significant Partners After Divorce
After her divorce from Sambora, Locklear's romantic life continued to draw public interest through high-profile relationships and engagements that ultimately took different turns.
Jack Wagner
In April 2007, shortly after her second divorce was finalized, Locklear began dating her former Melrose Place co-star Jack Wagner. The pair enjoyed a stable multi-year relationship, and in August 2011, they announced their engagement. However, the alignment didn't hold, and by November 2011, the couple called off the engagement and parted ways.
Chris Heisser and Later Years
In late 2017, Locklear reconnected with Chris Heisser, a former motocross racer whom she had dated briefly during high school. The decades-long reunion led to an engagement in April 2020. Though they faced various personal hurdles and media attention over the years, the relationship marked a return to her roots. Reports indicated a separation in 2025, followed by her connection with actor Lorenzo Lamas in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Heather Locklear been married?
Heather Locklear has been married two times. Her first marriage was to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee (1986–1993), and her second marriage was to Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora (1994–2007).
Does Heather Locklear have children?
Yes. She shares one daughter, Ava Elizabeth Sambora, born in 1997, with her second husband, Richie Sambora.
Did Heather Locklear marry Jack Wagner?
No. Although Locklear and Jack Wagner became engaged in August 2011, they called off the engagement just a few months later in November 2011 before ever tying the knot.
Who was Heather Locklear's high school sweetheart?
Chris Heisser is Heather Locklear's high school sweetheart. The two dated as teenagers in the 1970s, reconnected decades later, and became engaged in 2020.
