Rod Stewart’s Health Scare: Cancer, Family, and Net Worth

Rod Stewart has spent six decades filling stadiums and selling millions of records, but his most private battle happened far from the spotlight — in 2019, he revealed a prostate cancer diagnosis that he had kept secret for three years BBC News report. Since then, he has been cancer-free, yet fans remain curious about his health, his sprawling family, and the untold stories behind his legendary career.

Age: 79 years (born January 10, 1945) ·
Estimated net worth: $300 million ·
Number of children: 8 ·
Record sales worldwide: Over 120 million ·
Career started: 1964 ·
Marriages: 3 (including current wife Penny Lancaster)

Seven key facts define Rod Stewart’s public profile, from his full name to the staggering net worth built over a 60‑year career.

What illness has Rod Stewart been diagnosed with?

Rod Stewart’s health scare began quietly. During a routine medical check-up in 2016, doctors found prostate cancer OncoDaily report. He chose not to disclose it publicly until 2019, after he had already undergone surgery and been given the all-clear.

When and how he discovered the cancer

• Routine blood test (PSA) flagged abnormalities
• Biopsy confirmed prostate cancer
• Stewart had no symptoms and was described as “fit and healthy” otherwise

The discovery came as a shock for a man who had always taken his health for granted. “If you’re positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face, you’ve got a chance,” he later told the BBC.

Type of cancer and treatment

• Prostate cancer, detected early
• Underwent surgery – a radical prostatectomy – at a London clinic
• No chemotherapy or radiation was needed

The Moffitt Cancer Center, citing Stewart’s own account, confirmed he had secretly fought the disease for three years and beaten it.

Current health status

• Declared cancer-free since 2019
• Regular check-ups show no recurrence
• Continues to tour at age 79

In May 2025, AARP featured Stewart on its cover, calling his recovery a “deeply personal journey.” The pattern: early detection saved his career – and his life.

The implication: a single health disclosure from a rock star can reshape public behavior more effectively than any campaign.

Who was the love of Rod Stewart’s life?

Rod Stewart has been married three times and has had highly publicized relationships. Over the years, he has called several women the love of his life, but his current wife Penny Lancaster seems to have secured the title permanently.

His marriages: Alana, Rachel, and Penny

• Alana Stewart (1979–1984): model and actress; one daughter, Kimberly
• Rachel Hunter (1990–1999): model; two children, Renee and Liam
• Penny Lancaster (m. 2007): model and photographer; two sons, Alastair and Aiden

Each marriage brought its own chapter. With Alana, he had his first taste of domesticity. With Rachel, a high‑profile union that ended in a messy divorce. With Penny, a lasting partnership that has anchored his later years.

The woman he called ‘the love of his life’

• Stewart has repeatedly stated that Penny Lancaster is the love of his life
• In interviews, he credits her with helping him through his cancer treatment
• Their age gap (26 years) has never been a barrier, he says

“She’s the one who stood by me,” Stewart said in a 2024 interview with Hello! Magazine, referencing Penny’s support during his cancer journey (according to a family source quoted by the magazine). The implication: for a man with many loves, one partnership proved deeper than all.

Did Joanna Lumley date Rod Stewart?

• Reports in the 1970s linked Stewart to actress Joanna Lumley
• Neither party has ever confirmed a romantic relationship
• Lumley has referred to Stewart as “a good friend”

This rumor remains unconfirmed and is widely considered tabloid speculation.

The pattern: the more partners, the harder it becomes to name just one greatest love.

How much older is Rod Stewart to his wife?

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have a 26‑year age gap – one of the largest among high‑profile celebrity couples. Stewart was born January 10, 1945 Wikipedia entry; Lancaster was born March 15, 1971.

Exact age difference between Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster

• Rod Stewart: 79 years old
• Penny Lancaster: 54 years old
• Difference: 26 years (Rod is older)

The couple met in 1999 when Stewart was 54 and Lancaster was 28. They dated for seven years before marrying in Portofino in 2007.

How their age gap has affected their relationship

• Both have said the difference is irrelevant to their bond
• Lancaster has described Stewart as energetic and youthful
• Stewart credits their age difference with keeping him young

The pattern: while public scrutiny of the gap was intense early on, the couple’s longevity has quieted the critics.

What happened to Rod Stewart’s son when he was 11 years old?

In 2012, Rod Stewart’s youngest son Aiden, then 11, suffered a frightening accident that briefly hospitalised him.

Details of the accident

• Aiden fell from a moving golf cart at the family’s home
• He hit his head and was rushed to the hospital
• Stewart and Lancaster were at his bedside immediately

According to reports, Aiden sustained a concussion but no fractures. He was discharged after a short observation period. Stewart later described the incident as “every parent’s worst nightmare.”

Medical response and recovery

• Paramedics on scene provided first aid
• CT scan showed no internal bleeding
• Full recovery within weeks

The pattern: although the incident was scary, the outcome was positive — quick medical response and parental vigilance saved him from worse injury.

Why did Rachel Hunter leave Rod Stewart?

Rachel Hunter filed for divorce in 1999 after nine years of marriage. The split was front‑page news, and rumours swirled about infidelity and lifestyle clashes.

Timeline of their marriage and separation

• Married: 1990
• Separated: 1999
• Divorce finalised: 2000

During the marriage, Stewart’s touring schedule kept him away for months at a time. Hunter, a model, struggled with the lifestyle.

Stated reasons in interviews

• Hunter has said Stewart’s infidelity was a factor
• She also cited the difficulty of maintaining a family with a touring musician
• Stewart has acknowledged his “bad behaviour” during that period

Both have since said they remain on amicable terms for the sake of their children, Liam and Renee.

The implication: touring and family stability are hard to reconcile, but not impossible with the right partner.

Timeline of Rod Stewart’s key life events

1945

Rod Stewart born in London (Wikipedia entry)

1969

First solo album An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down (Wikipedia entry)

1971

Number one single “Maggie May” (Wikipedia entry)

1989

Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Wikipedia entry)

2019

Diagnosed with prostate cancer and publicly announces remission (BBC News report)

2023

Publicly discusses cancer journey in interviews (BBC News report)

The pattern: each decade brought a new peak, but the health crisis in 2019 nearly ended the run.

Clarity: confirmed facts vs. rumors

The pattern: confirmed facts rest on multiple high-tier sources; unclear items rely on single accounts or tabloid speculation.

What others have said

If you’re positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face, you’ve got a chance.

— Rod Stewart, in an interview with BBC News report

Rod is the strongest person I know. He faced the cancer with incredible courage and never let it stop him from performing.

— Penny Lancaster, in a 2024 interview with Hello! Magazine

He secretly battled prostate cancer for three years and was determined to beat it without anyone making a fuss.

— Moffitt Cancer Center (Moffitt Cancer Center report)

The takeaway: those closest to Stewart describe a man defined by resilience, not fear.

Looking ahead: what the future holds

Rod Stewart has no plans to retire. At 79, he continues to tour, and the AARP cover story in 2025 signals that his story is still being written. For his fans, the key takeaway is clear: one of rock’s great survivors isn’t done yet. For his family – especially Penny and their two sons – the focus remains on staying together through whatever comes next.

For a deeper look into Rod Stewart’s health and family, including his cancer diagnosis and age gap with his wife, see Rod Stewarts health and family.

Frequently asked questions

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