Rod Stewart Celebrates 80th Birthday with Wife Penny Lancaster

Rock legend Rod Stewart, who turns 80 today, is celebrating his milestone birthday with his wife, Penny Lancaster. The couple, who have been together for over two decades, are marking the occasion with a series of special events planned by Lancaster, a Loose Women star. Their enduring love story has inspired some of Stewart’s greatest hits, despite the challenges they’ve faced along the way.

Rod Stewart, known for hits like ‘Maggie May‘ and ‘Sailing,’ has had a colorful romantic history, including marriages to Alana Stewart and Rachel Hunter, with whom he shares several children. However, it was Penny Lancaster, 27 years his junior, who became his ‘forever love.’ The couple met in the late ’90s when Lancaster, then a budding photographer, was hired to document Stewart’s tour. Their relationship blossomed, and in 2005, Stewart proposed atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris. They married two years later in a lavish Italian ceremony.

Reflecting on their journey, Lancaster told Hello! magazine, ‘Being able to reflect on those 10 years, and say those words to one another and still know we mean them is important.’ Stewart echoed her sentiments, calling Lancaster his ‘whole world’ and expressing his love for her more than ever. The couple renewed their vows in 2017, reaffirming their commitment in an intimate ceremony at their Essex home.

Despite their strong bond, the couple faced a brief separation that left Stewart heartbroken. He revealed that he slept with a photo of Lancaster every night during their time apart. The experience inspired Stewart to record a cover of Tom Waits‘ ‘Picture In A Frame’ on his album, Time. ‘I asked her for a photo of herself in a frame so that I could see her when I went to bed and when I woke up,’ Stewart explained.

In a 2021 interview with People, Stewart shared the secret to their lasting relationship: intimacy. ‘I’m not talking about sex, but a kiss and a cuddle and a hold,’ he said. ‘Penny and I do that every morning. We hug each other — sometimes in bed, sometimes out of bed, all throughout the day.’ The couple also faced challenges in starting a family, with Lancaster experiencing two miscarriages before welcoming their youngest son via IVF.

Last year, the couple reportedly renewed their vows for the second time while Stewart was on tour in Australia. A family friend revealed that Stewart deliberately spaced out his tour dates to ensure all his children could attend the ceremony. ‘There’s a very good reason why Rod’s insisted he space out his tour dates – it’s the perfect place and the perfect time to renew their wedding vows,’ the friend said.

As Stewart celebrates his 80th birthday, his love story with Lancaster continues to inspire fans worldwide. Their journey, marked by passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment, serves as a testament to the power of enduring love.