Introduction
Rod Stewart – The Hidden Sorrows Behind the Spotlight
Rod Stewart – a rock icon of the 20th century – is not only known for timeless hits like Maggie May and Sailing, but also as a man who has endured many silent pains in his personal life. After decades living under the stage lights, what haunts him most is not career mistakes, but the distance from his children that he couldn’t be there for during their early years.
At just 17 years old, Rod made one of the toughest decisions of his life – to give up his first daughter, Sarah, for adoption. Sarah was the result of a teenage relationship with his girlfriend Susannah Boffey. In a 2021 interview with People, he emotionally admitted, “I never wanted her to think I abandoned her. But at that time, I was just a kid—not ready to be a father.” It wasn’t until Sarah was an adult that they reunited, yet the void from those lost years remained a deep scar in his heart.
Not only Sarah, some of Rod’s other children have also faced their own battles. Shawn, his son, once sought treatment at a rehab center to overcome addiction. Sarah herself struggled with alcoholism. On Today in 2023, Rod shared, “As a parent, watching your kids suffer and feeling powerless, you question what you could have done differently.”
In love, Rod has also faced heartbreak. His 16-year marriage to supermodel Rachel Hunter ended in 2006, leaving an emptiness hard to fill. “I thought no one could leave Rod Stewart—but she did, and it broke my heart,” he told The Independent. This breakup not only caused him great pain but also affected his relationship with their two children, Renee and Liam.
More recently, in 2025, Rod and his current wife Penny Lancaster mourned the loss of Christina Artukovich, the sister of their daughter-in-law. Though not a blood relative, Christina was a close part of the family, and her sudden passing reminded Rod once again of life’s fragility.
From Football Dreams to Rock Stardom
Born on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, London, Rod once dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. However, his love for music led him to London’s streets, where he started performing with a harmonica and singing backup. Joining The Jeff Beck Group in 1967 and later Faces, he steadily built his place in the music world.
In 1971, his album Every Picture Tells a Story and the single Maggie May catapulted him to global fame, topping charts simultaneously in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia—a rare achievement in music history.
The Light and Shadows of a Legend
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Rod has released over 30 studio albums, won numerous awards, and was knighted by the Queen. Yet, he has also faced setbacks—from being fired from the band Steam Packet to his 2015 album Another Country not meeting commercial expectations.
He was also accused of plagiarism; The Killing of Georgie was noted for its similarity to The Beatles’ Don’t Let Me Down. Rod acknowledged the resemblance but called it “a good borrowing.”
Beyond music, he is well-known for his passion for model railways, once saying, “Being featured in a model railway magazine meant more to me than a music magazine.”
Growing Older Without Slowing Down
Rod has no plans to retire. At 79, he released Swing Fever (2024) and is working on a country album slated for 2026. “I’ll sing until I can’t sing anymore,” he said determinedly.
Having overcome thyroid and prostate cancer, Rod values health as his greatest treasure. His wife Penny revealed he exercises 3–4 times a week even on tour.
He also strives to be a better father and husband. “I used to think only about myself and my career. Now I understand family is everything.”
The Legacy Rod Stewart Wants to Leave
More than just music, Rod hopes to be remembered as someone who used his fame to help others. He has donated millions to charities supporting disabled people, poor children, and even helped restore a vandalized model railway club.
“I want to be remembered not just as a singer, but as a person who cared and gave,” he said.