During a recent appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” veteran musician Phil Collins opened up about the personal toll his decades‑long career has taken on his family life. The 75‑year‑old drummer said he “regret[s] my marriages falling apart,” acknowledging that his relentless touring schedule with Genesis often kept him away from home.
Marriages and children
Collins was first married to Andrea Bertorelli from 1975 to 1980. He adopted her daughter Joely and together they welcomed son Simon. His second marriage to Jill Tavelman lasted from 1984 to 1996, producing daughter Lily, who now stars in the Netflix series “Emily in Paris.” His third marriage to Orianne Cevey spanned 1999 to 2006 and resulted in sons Nicholas and Mathew.
When recalling his first marriage, Collins explained that constant touring – three American tours, two European tours, and a Japan tour in a single year – left him absent and ultimately caused the relationship to dissolve. He noted that his bandmates later told him they would have stopped the tours if he had spoken up, a point he says is easy to see in hindsight.
Balancing regret with gratitude
Despite the breakdown of his three marriages, Collins emphasized that he “always tried to be there for the kids” and never intended to marry three times. He added, “You don’t go into life thinking that,” underscoring the unexpected nature of his personal journey.
Collins’ daughter Lily shared a heartfelt excerpt from her 2017 memoir, “Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me,” in which she described learning to accept her father’s actions, forgiving him for not always being present, and expressing gratitude for his unconditional love. Lily also celebrated her father’s 75th birthday with him in January, posting photos and a message of love.
Family milestones
In recent years, Lily welcomed her first child, a son named Tove, via surrogate in January 2025. She posted a Father’s Day tribute to Phil, thanking him for his guidance and support, and noting that her own child now calls him “Grandpa P.” The family continues to heal and strengthen their bonds, showing that even after years of hardship, love and forgiveness can prevail.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
