Is Billy Idol Married? Everything to Know About the AMA Lifetime Achievement Winner’s Relationships and Children

From first loves to big nights out, Billy Idol has been the soundtrack to plenty of life moments—and now he’s adding another milestone to the list: the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 American Music Awards.

Billy Idol broke through in the 1980s with his self-titled 1982 debut album, followed by a string of MTV-era hits like “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell,” and “Eyes Without a Face,” which helped define his signature punk-rock-meets-pop style. His catalog has gone on to sell an estimated 40 million records worldwide, making him one of the most successful rock artists to emerge from the era.

“When I started out in punk rock, back in 1976, we thought it may only last about 6 months, let alone 50 years,” Idol shared during his sweet speech when accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award. “But we were doing it for the love and because music was the only thing that gave us a sort of feeling of freedom, a sense of freedom.”

Beyond his decades on stage, Billy Idol has also built a quieter personal life away from the spotlight. Many still ask, Billy Idol married? Here, learn more about his relationships and children.

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Is Billy Idol married?

For nearly 50 years, Billy Idol has won fans around the world—but despite a life filled with high-profile relationships, the 70-year-old rocker has never married. Over the years, he’s shared meaningful relationships, including with the mothers of his three children, yet he’s never made it down the aisle. Here’s a look at the women who’ve been part of his life—including the partner he’s been with for nearly a decade.

Perri Lister

One of Idol’s longest relationships was with dancer and singer, Perri Lister. The two first met in the mid-1970s while Idol was the frontman of his band, Generation X, and Lister was in the dance troupe, Hot Gossip. The couple began dating in 1980 and were together for nearly a decade.

Idol and Lister became a prominent rock power couple throughout the ’80s, with Idol’s fame rapidly growing. Lister was a key part in shaping Idol’s musical and visual aesthetic. She also contributed creatively, participating in backup vocals, choreography and took on starring roles in his music videos.

In 1988, the couple welcomed a son, Willem Wolfe Broad. However, in 1989, the couple decided to split, mainly due to Idol’s rockstar lifestyle and his heavy tour schedule. Despite their breakup, Idol and Lister have remained good friends and co-parents over the years.

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Linda Mathis

Billy Idol first met Linda Mathis in Thailand and the two began seeing each other—partly while he was still in a relationship with Lister. Although they weren’t technically in a relationship, Idol and Mathis did welcome a daughter together, Bonnie Blue Broad, in 1989.

Idol and Mathis weren’t together long but have remained good co-parents for their daughter and have even been spotted at events together.

China Chow

Billy Idol has been in a relationship with actress and model, China Chow, since 2018. The two met in 2017 while in the same fashion circles. Despite their 19-year age gap, Idol and Chow have remained committed to each other, appearing side by side at several celebratory events over the years.

Idol has a third child

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In 2023, the singer introduced the world to his third child, son Brant, while at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Idol didn’t know about Brant for a majority of his son’s life, but learned of his existence after his daughter took a 23andMe DNA test. As it turns out, Idol fathered a child while on his Rebel Yell tour in 1984 with a woman whose name is unknown.

“Once I saw Brant with Bonnie and Willem, they’ve all got the same quirky sense of humor,” Idol said of his son. “And once I saw that, I could see he’s my son, really.”

Not only is Idol a father of three, but he also has four grandchildren. His son Brant has two children—McKenzie and Mason—and his daughter has two—Poppy Rebel and Mary Jane. He explained that being a grandfather “Is really lovely. It’s nice, I’ve got the best of both worlds.”