Relationships are messy. For most of us, those messes happen behind closed doors, away from the prying eyes of neighbors or HR departments. But when you’re Phil Collins—the man whose drum fills practically defined the 1980s—your "messy" ends up on the front page of the Daily Mail.
Honestly, if you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. As we move through 2026, the legendary Genesis frontman is mostly keeping a low profile in Miami, but the drama surrounding his third wife, Orianne Cevey, still feels like it happened yesterday. It’s a saga of record-breaking settlements, secret weddings, and a $40 million mansion standoff that felt more like a Hollywood thriller than a retirement plan.
The Three Marriages That Defined a Legacy
Phil has been married three times. He’s also been divorced three times. He famously joked in his memoir Not Dead Yet that he’s "disappointed" by that track record. It's a sentiment many can relate to, even if we don't have $100 million in the bank.
His first marriage to Andrea Bertorelli (1975–1980) gave us some of the greatest breakup music ever written. If you’ve ever screamed along to "In the Air Tonight," you’re essentially eavesdropping on Phil’s anger toward Andrea. They had two children, Joely and Simon.
Then came Jill Tavelman.
They were married for 12 years (1984–1996).
She’s the mother of Emily in Paris star Lily Collins.
This one ended famously—and infamously—via fax. Phil has since tried to clarify that it wasn't a "Dear Jane" fax to end the marriage, but rather a communication about access to their daughter during a legal dispute. Still, the "Divorce by Fax" label stuck. Jill walked away with a $34 million settlement, which was a staggering amount in the mid-90s.
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The Orianne Cevey Era: Love, Loss, and a Male Escort?
The most complex chapter of the Phil Collins and wife story is undoubtedly Orianne Cevey. They met in 1994 when she was just 21, working as his translator during a tour in Switzerland. Despite the 23-year age gap, they married in 1999.
For a while, it seemed like the real deal. They had two sons, Nicholas and Matthew. They started the Little Dreams Foundation. But by 2006, they separated, and their 2008 divorce set a British record with a $46.7 million payout.
Then things got weird.
In 2015, Phil and Orianne reconciled. Phil called the divorce a "mistake." They moved back into a Miami mansion together. Fans were shocked, but mostly happy to see the "Against All Odds" singer finding peace as his health began to decline. That peace didn't last. In 2020, while Phil was away, Orianne reportedly flew to Las Vegas and secretly married a man named Thomas Bates—a man she allegedly met through a male escort service.
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"I just didn't understand the concept of throwing things away," Jill Tavelman once said about her antique shop, but Orianne seemed to have a different philosophy when she auctioned off Phil’s gold records and awards for pennies on the dollar during their final legal spat.
The ensuing legal battle was brutal. Phil eventually had to sue to get Orianne and her new husband out of his Miami home. It was a "show of force," involving armed guards and changed alarm codes. By the time the dust settled in late 2021, the relationship was permanently fractured.
Where Things Stand in 2026
If you’re looking for a "current wife" for Phil Collins right now, the answer is simple: He doesn't have one. Phil is currently single and retired. After the final Genesis "The Last Domino?" tour wrapped up in 2022, he retreated to his home life. He’s 75 now, and his health has been a major point of concern for fans. He’s dealt with:
- Severe nerve damage in his hands (preventing him from drumming).
- "Drop foot" that requires him to use a cane or wheelchair.
- Acute pancreatitis and diabetes.
Basically, he's focusing on being a dad and a grandad. His daughter Lily welcomed her first child, Tove Jane, in early 2025, making Phil a grandfather again. His son Nic has taken over the drumming mantle, touring with his own band The Effect.
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It’s a quieter life. No more faxes, no more record-breaking settlements, and hopefully, no more secret Las Vegas weddings.
What We Can Learn From the Collins Saga
The takeaway from Phil’s romantic history isn't just "celebrities have drama." It's about the difficulty of balancing a world-consuming career with a stable home life. Phil has been open about the fact that he followed his heart, even when it made him "a bit of a b*****d," as he put it.
If you're following the legacy of Phil Collins and wife stories, keep an eye on his children's careers. They seem to be the bridge that has helped him find a sense of resolution. Lily continues to dominate Netflix, and Matthew has even pursued a professional soccer career in Austria.
The drama might be over, but the music—and the massive impact Phil had on the people in his life—remains.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to 'Face Value' again. Now that you know the backstory of his first divorce, the lyrics hit differently.
- Check out Nic Collins' band, The Effect. If you miss Phil’s drumming, Nic is the closest thing to the real deal you'll ever hear.
- Read 'Not Dead Yet'. It’s one of the most honest celebrity memoirs out there, specifically regarding his failures in his marriages.