Honestly, if you've ever seen Sir Rod Stewart and his wife on a red carpet, you've probably wondered the same thing as everyone else. They look great together, but there is a very obvious difference in their eras. While the "Maggie May" singer has been a household name since the late sixties, his wife, Penny Lancaster, belongs to a completely different generation.
How old is Rod Stewart's wife exactly? As of early 2026, Penny Lancaster is 54 years old. She was born on March 15, 1971. Rod, on the other hand, recently celebrated his 80th birthday in January 2025. That puts a 26-year age gap between the two.
It's a number that used to set the British tabloids on fire. Back in the late nineties, when they first started dating, people were skeptical. You know how it goes. The "rock star meets a younger model" trope is as old as time. But here we are, over 25 years since they first met, and they’re basically one of the most stable couples in the celebrity world.
The Math Behind the Relationship
When they met at the Dorchester Hotel in 1999, Penny was just 27. She was a photography student and part-time model. Rod was 53. To put that in perspective, Penny has now reached the same age Rod was when they first locked eyes.
The story of their meeting is actually kind of sweet. A friend dared Penny to ask for Rod's autograph. She wasn't even a big fan! Rod, ever the charmer, ended up asking her for her number instead.
✨ Don't miss: Chrissy Lampkin: Why Her Real Age is the Least Interesting Thing About Her
- Penny's Birth Date: March 15, 1971
- Rod's Birth Date: January 10, 1945
- Marriage Year: 2007
- Total Years Together: 27 years
They didn't rush into marriage, though. They had a long seven-year courtship before Rod famously proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower in 2005. They finally tied the knot in Portofino, Italy, in 2007.
More Than Just a Famous Wife
It’s easy to label Penny as just a "rock star's wife," but she’s had a pretty wild career shift lately. She spent years as a high-profile model and a face of the lingerie brand Ultimo. Most people recognize her from the British talk show Loose Women, where she’s been a regular since 2014.
But the most surprising turn? She’s now a Special Constable.
In 2021, after participating in a reality show called Famous and Fighting Crime, Penny decided she actually loved police work. She went through the training and joined the City of London Police. You might have even seen photos of her on duty during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral or King Charles III’s coronation. She’s out there on the streets of London, dealing with the public, which is a far cry from the glitz of the Beverly Hills mansion they’ve been trying to sell.
🔗 Read more: Charlie McDermott Married Life: What Most People Get Wrong About The Middle Star
Dealing with the "Age Thing"
Penny has been very open about the challenges of their age difference, especially as they get older. In recent interviews, like her 2025 appearance on the BBC’s My Life at Christmas, she’s been candid about the emotional weight of their "blended family." Rod has eight children by five different women. Penny is the mother of the youngest two: Alastair (born 2005) and Aiden (born 2011).
She’s also talked about navigating the menopause while Rod was entering his late seventies. It wasn't easy. She’s mentioned that Rod was incredibly supportive, even when her symptoms affected her mental health. They seem to have this "team" mentality that keeps things moving.
What People Get Wrong About Their Marriage
The biggest misconception is that Penny is just along for the ride. Recently, there were rumors about a "stalemate" in their marriage because Rod reportedly didn't want to leave Los Angeles for the UK, despite Penny’s desire to be closer to her work and family in Essex.
Rod actually took to Instagram to clear the air, basically saying they are as happy as ever. They’ve reached a point where they don’t really care what the public thinks about their 26-year gap.
💡 You might also like: Charlie Kirk's Kids: How Old They Are and What Really Happened
Why the Age Gap Works for Them
Experts in relationship psychology often point out that large age gaps succeed when there’s a high level of shared values. For Rod and Penny, it seems to be family and a shared sense of humor. They recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, looking like a couple half their age.
Penny has often said that Rod has the energy of a man in his thirties. He’s still touring—his "One Last Time" tour has been running through 2025—and he doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Practical Insights for the Curious
If you're following the lives of the Stewarts, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding their current status:
- Check the Official Sources: If you hear rumors about a split, check their personal social media. They are very active and usually debunk rumors directly.
- Read Penny's Memoir: She released a book called Someone Like Me in 2025. It goes into deep detail about her dyslexia, her career, and her life with Rod.
- Watch Loose Women: Penny often shares snippets of their home life on the show, which gives a much more "human" look at their relationship than a paparazzi photo.
At the end of the day, age is just a data point. For Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart, it's a 26-year gap that seems to have narrowed as they’ve grown together over nearly three decades.