Iman Reveals How Her Marriage To David Bowie Lasted 24 years


Just before David Bowie succumbed to cancer in January, his widow, Iman, revealed the secret to their 24-year-marriage. In an interview for OWN’s Oprah: Where Are They Now series, which aired on Saturday, the 60-year-old former model opened up about her marriage with the rock icon.

During the interview, Iman said there were no pretensions between her and Bowie. Being constantly in the spotlight, Iman said she and Bowie understood the importance of being true to each other when they are together. “We both understand the difference between the person and the persona,” the Somali model shared. “When we are home, we are just Iman and David. We’re not anybody else.”

The mother-of-two believes “timing is the secret to a lasting marriage.” “You have to be at the right time in your life that you’re ready for an everlasting relationship, that it becomes first and a priority in your life,” Iman continued.

She is aware that a lot of marriages in show business have failed because people prioritize their careers more than their families.

“If your career is important to you, don’t get married and have children, because something will give,” the model said. “I know we, as women, we want to be able to have it all, but we can’t have it all at the same time.”

Iman advised, “So make your priority of what you want at that time. And sometimes you don’t even have to get married. Why do you have to get married?”

The video started with Iman in her office talking about her daily work routine. Sharing how she juggles her family and career, the Somali model said time management is the key, “By three o’clock I’m out of here. Then I become total wife.”

Iman Talks About Being Married to David Bowie

Bowie, 69, died in New York City following his 18-month battle with cancer. Friends of Bowie and Iman all admire their solid relationship which lasted 24 years until the singer’s death.

“They really knew each other because they had come up and traveled in the same circles. They were great together,” the couple’s friend, Teddy Antolin, said in an interview with People back in January.

“She was a real force, and he needed a woman by his side to keep him focused,” Antolin said of Iman.

The former model and current owner of a cosmetic line married the rocker on April 24, 1992, in Lausanne, Switzerland, two years after they met. The couple has a 15-year-old daughter, Alexandria. She discussed the importance of timing in a relationship.

Bowie previously married Angie Bowie, with whom he had a son, Duncan Zowie, 44. Iman also has a 37-year-old daughter, Zulekha, from her previous marriage to Spencer Haywood.

Iman also talked about how a “fashion icon” reaffirmed her decision to quit modeling 26 years ago. “I was just starting to create Iman Cosmetics, so I wanted to be also taken seriously and not be at fashion shows every day. But what really put the nail there for me was that I read they held a show—an hour—for Paris Hilton.” She continued, “I mean, when you have D-listers…We’re not talking about Linda Fargo from Bergdorf Goodman. You know, you hold a show for that person because she is the establishment; she is fashion. But, seriously? Paris Hilton? No.”

Speaking of fashion, Iman said she was often asked if she gives fashion tips to David Bowie, who is known to project different persona whenever on stage. “People say, ‘Do you give him fashion tips?’ What are you, crazy?” Iman joked. “We’re talking about David Bowie. He is fashion!”

[Photo by Chris Pizzello/AP Images]

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