Rod Stewart Opens Up About Secret Two-Week Split From Wife Penny Lancaster

Rod Stewart is opening up about his secret two-week split from wife Penny Lancaster, saying that it left him heartbroken but inspired.

The British singer said he and Penny split up once during their 13 years of marriage, a two-week separation that led him to dedicate a song to her. That song, a cover of Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame,” is included on Stewart’s upcoming album.

“Penny and I broke up for two weeks and the song is about that time,” Rod Stewart said. “I asked her for a photo of herself in a frame so that I could see her when I went to bed and when I woke up.”

After two marriages and many mistakes along the way, Stewart said he’s learned some good strategies to keep a relationship healthy.

“You have to take the good with the bad, and women prefer you when you’re truthful. My relationship rule is, ‘don’t argue after a glass of wine — leave debating until the morning.’ ”

Stewart added, “I have always loved women, won some, lost some, but it’s not about the magic touch, it’s about being a better person and a good listener.”

Rod said his second marriage, to model Rachel Hunter, was especially enlightening.

“She was 21, I was 45. I married Rachel the same year my dad died, 1990. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Stewart said. “In the end I did both. I became a good listener when I was with Rachel, something women appreciate. Up to that point it was my way or the highway.”

Rod Stewart gave some more blunt advice to USA Today, saying he wishes he could go back in time and be a little more conservative in his love life.

“Maybe keep your banana in the fruit bowl a little longer,” he said, jokingly. “It has got me in a lot of trouble.”

Rod Stewart added that by the time he met Penny Lancaster, he learned from his mistakes enough to be a better man. And when he did slip up at least she got a song out of it.