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You probably think of the legendary David Bowie the second you hear the name Iman. It makes sense. They were one of the most iconic couples in history. But honestly, her romantic history isn't just a one-chapter story about a rock star. Before the glitz of the 90s and the quiet life in Manhattan, Iman had a whole other life. Or two.
Basically, Iman has been married three times. People usually forget the first one because it happened before she was "Iman" the supermodel. Then there was the high-profile, somewhat chaotic marriage to an NBA star that defined her 80s era. By the time she met Bowie, she was already a powerhouse who had seen the best and worst of fame.
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Who was Iman married to before the world knew her name?
The first marriage is the one that stays under the radar. Back in 1973, long before she was walking for Yves Saint Laurent, Iman married a young Somali man named Hassan. He was an entrepreneur and a Hilton hotel executive. At the time, she was just 18.
It didn't last long. By 1975, the marriage was over. Why? Well, she was discovered by photographer Peter Beard while she was a student in Nairobi. Her career exploded, she moved to the United States, and the life she had in Africa just didn't fit the runway life in New York. They divorced, and she headed for stardom. Simple as that.
The Spencer Haywood Years: A 1980s Power Couple
In 1977, things got much more public. Iman married Spencer Haywood. If you aren't a sports fan, Haywood was a massive deal—a basketball legend who played for the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was actually the guy who took the NBA to court to allow players to join the league straight out of high school.
They were the "it" couple of the late 70s and early 80s. They had a daughter, Zulekha Haywood, in 1978. But behind the scenes, it wasn't all glamorous. Haywood has been very vocal in his autobiography about the struggles they faced, including his battle with addiction during their time together.
Why the marriage ended
- Addiction issues: Haywood struggled heavily with cocaine during his playing days.
- Clashing lifestyles: She was a rising fashion icon; he was a struggling athlete in the twilight of his career.
- Legal battles: After their divorce in 1987, they went through a messy, years-long custody battle over Zulekha.
It was a tough decade. Honestly, it's impressive she came out of that era with her career not just intact, but thriving.
David Bowie: The Final Love
Then came 1990. Iman met David Jones. You know him as David Bowie. They were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. Bowie famously said it was love at first sight. He was already planning their wedding and naming their future children before the first date was even over. Iman? She was a bit more skeptical. She didn't want to date a "rock star."
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But as she often tells people, she didn't fall in love with "Bowie" the persona. She fell in love with David Jones, the man.
They married in 1992. First, a private civil ceremony in Switzerland on April 24, and then a massive, beautiful church service in Florence, Italy, on June 6. It rained that day. People told them it was a sign of a 50-year marriage. They got 24 years before Bowie passed away in 2016.
The New York Life
They had a daughter together, Alexandria "Lexi" Zahra Jones, in 2000. Unlike the chaotic spotlight of her second marriage, her life with Bowie was remarkably normal. They lived in Manhattan, did the school runs, and avoided the paparazzi. She even became a stepmother to Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones.
When people ask if she’ll ever marry again, she's very blunt. "I will never remarry," she told People magazine. To her, he isn't her "late husband." He is still her husband.
Summary of Marriages
| Husband | Years Married | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hassan | 1973–1975 | Somali executive; ended when her modeling career began. |
| Spencer Haywood | 1977–1987 | NBA star; shared daughter Zulekha; ended in a long legal battle. |
| David Bowie | 1992–2016 | Iconic musician; remained married until his death. |
If you're looking to understand Iman’s journey, don’t just look at the Vogue covers. Look at how she navigated these three very different chapters. She went from a young bride in Somalia to a celebrity wife in the gritty 80s, and finally, to the soulmate of a global legend.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see the legacy of these relationships, look into Lexi Jones’s art or Zulekha Haywood’s work in the corporate world. Both daughters have carved out very different lives than their mother, mostly staying out of the "supermodel" shadow. You can also check out the "Iman Cosmetics" line, which she actually launched during the peak of her marriage to Bowie.