Bruce Springsteen has been the face of blue-collar rock for half a century. We know the songs. We know the denim. But when it comes to his personal life, things get a little more complicated than a three-chord anthem. Honestly, if you're asking is Bruce Springsteen married, the short answer is a resounding yes. He’s been married to Patti Scialfa since 1991.
That’s over three decades. In rock and roll years, that’s basically an eternity.
But the road to that 34-year marriage wasn't exactly a straight line. It was messy. It was tabloid fodder. And for a guy who built his brand on being the ultimate honest Jersey hero, the way his first marriage ended was, well, pretty rough.
The First Marriage: Julianne Phillips and the "Tunnel of Love"
Before there was Patti, there was Julianne Phillips. She was a model and actress, eleven years his junior, and arguably the polar opposite of the "Jersey girl" fans expected Bruce to end up with. They met in 1984 and tied the knot in May 1985 in a secret midnight ceremony in Oregon.
It didn't stick.
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By the time the Tunnel of Love Express Tour rolled around in 1988, the cracks were visible from the back row of the stadiums. Bruce later admitted in his memoir, Born to Run, that he dealt with the separation "abysmally." He was having anxiety attacks. He felt like he didn't know how to be a husband. While he was still technically married to Phillips, the world started seeing photos of him in his underwear on a balcony in Rome with a certain red-headed backup singer.
- Married: May 13, 1985
- Separated: June 1988
- Divorced: March 1, 1989
Julianne has stayed incredibly classy and quiet about the whole thing for forty years. She never wrote a tell-all. She just moved on.
Enter Patti Scialfa: The E Street Love Story
Patti wasn't some stranger. She was a Jersey local who had been in the E Street Band since 1984. She grew up in Deal, New Jersey, just a few miles from Bruce’s old stomping grounds. They spoke the same language.
When people ask is Bruce Springsteen married today, they’re talking about a partnership that is both romantic and professional. They married on June 8, 1991, at their home in Los Angeles. By then, they already had their first son, Evan.
It’s a rare thing in Hollywood. They work together. They tour together. They live on a massive horse farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey.
The Springsteen Family Tree
They didn't just build a discography; they built a family.
- Evan James Springsteen (1990): The firstborn, who followed the musical path.
- Jessica Rae Springsteen (1991): A world-class equestrian who took home a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
- Samuel Ryan Springsteen (1994): A Jersey City firefighter.
They also became grandparents in 2022 when Sam welcomed a daughter, Lily Harper Springsteen. Seeing "The Boss" as a grandpa is a trip, but it fits the legacy.
The "New Normal": Patti’s Health Battle
Recently, the question of their marriage has taken on a more somber tone. In the 2024 documentary Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Patti revealed she has been fighting multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, since 2018.
This explains why she’s been missing from so many tour dates lately.
Bruce has been incredibly supportive, recently telling ABC News that she’s "doing good" and that they caught it early. But it’s changed their life. Patti mentioned that the disease affects her immune system, so she has to be careful about where she goes. She only pops up on stage for a few songs now—usually "Tougher Than the Rest"—before heading back to safety. It’s a poignant "new normal" for a couple that has spent forty years under the bright lights.
Why Their Marriage Actually Works
Honestly, it seems to come down to the fact that they are peers. Bruce told Variety years ago that when they’re on stage, she’s a band member, and when they walk off, they’re husband and wife.
There’s a lot of respect there.
He’s struggled with clinical depression for much of his life, and he’s been open about how Patti has been the one to pull him through the "black holes." She isn't just a spouse; she's his anchor.
Quick Facts: Bruce and Patti
- Wedding Date: June 8, 1991
- Met at: The Stone Pony in Asbury Park
- Children: Three
- Grandchildren: One
- Key Song: "Red Headed Woman" (Written for Patti)
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the couple or see them live, keep these points in mind for 2026:
- Check the Tour Roster: Don't expect Patti at every show. Because of her health, her appearances are "special guest" style.
- Watch the Documentary: If you want the real, raw story of their current life, watch Road Diary on Hulu or Disney+. It’s the most honest they've ever been.
- Solo Work: Patti is currently working on her fourth studio album. Supporting her solo career is a great way to see her musical identity outside of being "Bruce's wife."
Bruce Springsteen is very much married, and despite the scandals of the late '80s, he and Patti have become one of rock’s most enduring power couples. They’ve survived the road, the tabloids, and now, a serious health battle. They’re still standing.
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To stay updated on their latest news, follow the official Bruce Springsteen website or Patti’s Instagram for rare glimpses into their life on the farm. You can also track E Street Band tour updates to see if Patti will be making an appearance in your city.