Penny Lancaster reveals the secret to nearly 20 years of marriage to Rod Stewart
27 March 2026, 13:16
From flirty moments to mutual respect, the couple share how they keep their romance alive after two decades together.
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Penny Lancaster has offered a rare glimpse into the private life she shares with rock legend Rod Stewart, revealing how the couple keeps their romance alive after nearly 20 years.
The pair first met in 1999 when Penny was dared by a friend to ask Rod for his autograph, sparking a connection that would grow over the decades.
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Today, they split their time between their London home and a sprawling estate in Essex, where they often retreat to enjoy family life and quiet moments together.
In a candid conversation with The Sun, the 55-year-old model and TV personality reflected on the enduring energy and connection she shares with her 81-year-old husband.
“We lay it on thick. The more romantic it is, the better,” Penny said. “We have such a great connection on every level. There's such an energy between us.”
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Acknowledging that Rod “can be demanding” and “does require a lot of attention,” she added that she’s more than happy to meet his needs.
“He also gives me a lot of attention back, so it works both ways,” she noted.
For the couple, maintaining closeness isn’t just about grand gestures. Penny described how they carve out private moments together, laughing and flirting away from the world.
“We flirt and make each other laugh — moments where it's just the two of us, and we're not surrounded by other people, be they family, friends, or work colleagues.”
Their love story spans more than two decades, beginning when Penny met Rod in 1999 and blossoming into a proposal at the top of the Eiffel Tower in 2005, followed by a wedding in Portofino, Italy, two years later.
The couple shares two sons: Alastair, born in November 2005, and Aiden, born in February 2011.
Their blended family also includes Rod’s six children from previous relationships: daughters Sarah, 62, Kimberly, 46, Ruby, 38, and Renee, 33, and sons Sean, 45, and Liam, 31.
Reflecting on her role as stepmother, Penny admitted it took time to find her place in the larger family. “I just wanted to take my time, and it took a long time,” she said.
In 2017, to mark their 10th wedding anniversary, Rod and Penny renewed their vows at their 45-acre Essex home.
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Rod described the occasion as profoundly personal. “What a girl,” he said. “Love means many things to many people, but to me it's wanting to share everything with the one you love, and I love Penny more now than ever, if that is at all possible.”
He added of the renewal, “It was a beautifully romantic thing to do. We're not proving anything, just sharing our love with our friends and family.”
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In the same interview, Rod also shared insights into the secret behind their long-lasting relationship.
“There is a maturity I may have taught Penny, and there is an honesty she has taught me,” he explained. “We do not argue before we go to bed and … if we do have arguments, it is over real quick.”
“I try to teach my kids, all of them, that real men say sorry, that's what they do. There is a wonderful honesty between us, and long may it last,” he added.
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