When you’re a Rolling Stone, conventional rules usually don’t apply. We’re talking about a guy who lived through the wildest era of rock ‘n’ roll, survived enough substances to fuel a small city, and is still touring the world at 78. But for many fans, the most surprising thing about Ronnie Wood and wife Sally Wood (née Humphreys) isn't the music—it's the fact that they are arguably the most stable couple in the Stones’ inner circle.
Seriously.
They’ve been married since 2012, which in "rock star years" is basically an eternity. Sally is 47, and Ronnie is 78. That’s a 31-year age gap that, on paper, should be a tabloid disaster. Instead, it’s a quiet, sober, and remarkably normal domestic life.
The Meet-Cute That Took a Decade
They didn't just meet at a party and elope. It was way more gradual than that. Sally was working at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, managing productions, while Ronnie was nearby hanging an art exhibition. This was roughly a decade before they actually got together.
Sally has been quoted saying that for years, it was just a professional friendship. Ronnie was married (to Jo Wood), then he wasn't, then he was dating a string of much younger women—like the Russian waitress Ekaterina Ivanova—which, let’s be honest, looked like a classic mid-life crisis.
Then, in 2012, everything shifted. They dated for only six months before Ronnie popped the question. He even did the old-school thing and asked her father’s permission at a movie premiere. That’s kind of sweet for a guy who used to freebase cocaine with Keith Richards, right?
A Wedding with the Ultimate Guest List
They tied the knot in a private penthouse at the Dorchester Hotel in London. It wasn't some massive, bloated celebrity gala. It was intimate. But when your best men are Rod Stewart and Sir Paul McCartney, "intimate" still feels pretty legendary.
Sally wore her mother’s vintage wedding dress. Ronnie wore pink socks. It was a vibe.
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The Kids: Adding to the Wood Dynasty
In 2016, just two days before Ronnie’s 69th birthday, the couple welcomed twin girls, Gracie Jane and Alice Rose.
Think about that for a second. Ronnie was almost 70 with newborns.
Most people at 70 are looking for their reading glasses, not changing diapers. But by all accounts, Ronnie is a hands-on dad. Sally has mentioned in interviews that he’s actually great with the "night shift" stuff, likely because rock stars are used to being up at 3:00 AM anyway.
The twins joined Ronnie's already large brood:
- Jesse Wood (from his first marriage to Krissy Findlay)
- Leah and Tyrone Wood (from his second marriage to Jo Wood)
- Jamie Wood (Jo’s son, whom Ronnie adopted)
What’s wild is that Sally is actually younger than Ronnie’s eldest son, Jesse. In most families, that would be awkward at Thanksgiving. In the Wood household? It seems to just be part of the furniture.
Facing the Hard Stuff: Cancer and Sobriety
It hasn’t all been private jets and art galleries. Sally has been Ronnie’s rock through two different bouts of cancer.
First, there was a lung cancer scare in 2017. Ronnie, a former heavy smoker (obviously), had to have part of his lung removed. Then, during the 2020 lockdown, he dealt with small-cell carcinoma. He credit’s Sally’s "sobering" influence and her background as a theater producer—someone used to managing chaos—for keeping him on track.
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Honestly, Sally is widely credited by Stones fans for "saving" Ronnie. Before her, he was famously struggling with his sobriety. Since they've been together, he’s swapped the booze for painting and parenting.
Why People Get It Wrong
The biggest misconception about Ronnie Wood and wife Sally is that she’s some "trophy wife" or a "groupie."
She’s not.
Sally is a successful theater producer in her own right. She runs Sea High Productions and has her own confectionery brand, Sweet Theatre. She’s financially independent and has a career that has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones.
When you see them on a red carpet—like the 2025 WellChild Awards where they recently appeared—there’s a genuine ease between them. She isn't just "there." She’s an active partner who manages the "Business of Ronnie," which includes his prolific career as a visual artist.
The Age Gap: "I Wish He Was Younger"
Sally has been refreshingly blunt about the age difference. She doesn't pretend it doesn't exist. She once told the Daily Telegraph that she does wish Ronnie was younger, but only because it would mean they’d have more time together.
That’s a heavy thought. When you marry someone 30 years your senior, you’re making a conscious choice to trade a long future for a very intense, meaningful present.
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The Reality of Being a "Stones Wife" Today
Being married to a Rolling Stone in 2026 isn't what it was in 1975. There are fewer TV sets thrown out of windows and more discussions about organic gardening and charity galas.
Sally is heavily involved in:
- The Roundhouse Theatre: Supporting young creatives.
- The Ben Kinsella Trust: Working to prevent knife crime.
- Birmingham Children's Hospital: Fundraising for her hometown.
She’s turned the "rock star wife" trope into something closer to a philanthropic powerhouse.
What You Should Take Away From This
If you're looking at Ronnie Wood and wife Sally and wondering how it works, look at the lifestyle shift. Ronnie didn't just find a younger woman; he found a partner who matched his creative energy but balanced his chaotic history with a very grounded, British sensibility.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers:
- Check out Ronnie’s Art: If you want to see Sally's influence, look at Ronnie's paintings. He’s more productive now than ever, often painting backstage or in their home studio.
- Ignore the Tabloid Noise: The age gap is the least interesting thing about them once you see their philanthropic work and their dedication to their young twins.
- Watch the Tours: Ronnie’s health and performance levels on recent tours have been world-class, much of which he attributes to the stable home life Sally provides.
They’ve proven that while you can't always get what you want, sometimes, you find exactly what you need.