Penny Lancaster doesn’t consider the emotional side of things to be particularly alluring.
At 54, Rod Stewart’s wife shared that the couple, often in the spotlight, deliberated ending their relationship partly because the 80-year-old singer was indifferent toward expanding their family.
“Yes, I think I would have left him. That would’ve been really tough,” she reflected in a recent interview with a British publication. “But we just went with the flow.”
“Rod often says, ‘I wish I could say yes’ to more children,” she continued. “I probably would have had more kids back then,” she explained.
Up until about five years ago, Lancaster mentioned that they even thought about adopting, but that plan fell through. “We worried there might be too big an age gap,” she noted.
The couple married in 2007 and are parents to Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14. Stewart also has a daughter, Sarah, from a previous relationship, who was adopted out, along with son Sean and daughter Kimberly.
Lancaster humorously pointed out that she feels like a mother to three boys since Stewart “is like a big baby that needs my attention differently. I’m sure every woman can relate to that about her husband.”
Speaking about their eldest son, Lancaster described him as “a gorgeous boy” who resembles his father in both kindness and manners.
To celebrate their anniversary in 2017, the couple renewed their vows, and in lieu of gifts, she chose to donate to victims of the Grenfell fire, which tragically took over 70 lives.
All of their children participated in those special moments.
Stewart once mentioned, “Penny is my entire world. What a girl.” He believes that love can mean different things, but for him, it’s about sharing everything with those you love. “I love Penny more than ever. It was a beautiful and romantic occasion.”
In 2021, he opened up about his fatherhood experiences, saying he’s happiest when he sees smiles on his wife’s and children’s faces.
Stewart acknowledged the challenge of being a father to children of varying ages, saying that he needs to approach each one as an individual with unique issues.
“For example, my 15-year-old is dating, so I had to give him some ‘guidance’ about that,” he added.
Reflecting on his past, he mentioned that most of his older kids went through tougher times, but they all came out stronger on the other side. He emphasized the importance of listening rather than getting upset.
When discussing the secrets behind a successful marriage, he highlighted intimacy, purely in terms of affection. “It’s not just about sex; it’s the kisses, hugs, and holds,” he shared. “Penny and I do that every morning and throughout the day. It’s a wonderful relationship.”
Stewart, in 2023, labeled himself a “generous” father.
“I don’t think I’m as strict as my parents were,” he noted, expressing pride that none of his children have encountered serious problems, despite past dabblings with drugs.
He concluded by mentioning how much he misses his family when he’s on tour.
