The $66 Million Question: A Deep Dive Into Phil Collins' Three Wives And Their Lives Today

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Few rock legends have a personal life as tumultuous and financially dramatic as Phil Collins. As of December 23, 2025, the iconic Genesis drummer and solo artist is not married, but his three highly publicized marriages have resulted in a staggering total of over $66 million in alimony payments and a legacy of headline-grabbing drama, particularly with his most recent ex-wife.

The stories of Andrea Bertorelli, Jill Tavelman, and Orianne Cevey offer a fascinating look behind the scenes of a rock star's life, from quiet family beginnings to record-breaking divorce settlements and controversial legal battles that continue to make news today. Each woman has carved out a distinct life after their split from the musician, with one embracing the quiet life and another remaining firmly in the public eye.

The Three Women: A Complete Biography and Marriage Timeline

Phil Collins has been married and divorced three times, resulting in five children who have all pursued various careers, including acting and music. The following is a detailed look at the women who shared his life.

  • Andrea Bertorelli (First Wife)
    • Born: 1951 in Canada.
    • Occupation: Former actress; now focuses on the natural world and preservation (as of 2025).
    • Marriage: 1975–1980.
    • Children with Phil Collins: Simon Collins (musician, born 1976) and Joely Collins (adopted daughter, actress, born 1972).
    • Notable Fact: She reportedly stayed out of the public glare for years, living on a remote Canadian island.
  • Jill Tavelman (Second Wife)
    • Born: April 9, 1956, in Los Angeles, California.
    • Occupation: Former teacher, former President of the Beverly Hills Women's Club, now runs an antiques store.
    • Marriage: 1984–1996.
    • Children with Phil Collins: Lily Collins (actress, born 1989).
    • Notable Fact: Her divorce from Collins was famously rumored to have been delivered via fax, a claim Collins has disputed. She moved back to Los Angeles with their daughter, Lily, after the split.
  • Orianne Cevey (Third Wife, Twice)
    • Born: Nyon, Switzerland (in 1974 or 1975).
    • Occupation: Swiss jewelry designer and businesswoman.
    • Marriage 1: 1999–2008.
    • Marriage 2 (Reconciliation): 2016–2020 (though they never officially remarried, they reconciled and lived together).
    • Children with Phil Collins: Nicholas Collins (musician, born 1999) and Matthew Collins (born 2004).
    • Notable Fact: Received a record-breaking $46.76 million divorce settlement in 2008.

The Orianne Cevey Saga: Divorce, Lawsuits, and a $47 Million Payout

The marriage and subsequent split from Orianne Cevey, a Swiss national and jewelry designer, remains the most controversial and costly chapter in Phil Collins's love life. Their first divorce in 2008 was a record-breaker, with Collins paying Cevey a staggering $46.76 million in cash, which was one of the largest celebrity divorce settlements at the time.

Despite the high price tag of their separation, the couple shocked the world by reconciling in 2016, moving back into a Miami Beach mansion together. However, this reunion was short-lived, and the relationship ended again in 2020 under dramatic circumstances.

The most recent updates, as of 2025, revolve around the contentious legal battle over the Miami home. Cevey, who married her new husband, Thomas Bates, a musician 22 years her junior, in 2020, allegedly refused to vacate the property. The dispute involved claims of Cevey changing the locks and hiring armed guards, ultimately leading to a legal fight for possession of the $40 million waterfront residence.

Further adding to the drama, Orianne Cevey has been actively auctioning off some of Phil Collins's personal and professional memorabilia, including his gold records, jewelry, and other possessions. This move to sell off items from the musician's valuable collection has kept the former couple's relationship firmly in the public spotlight and remains a key part of the current news surrounding Collins's ex-wives.

Jill Tavelman and Andrea Bertorelli: Life After the Limelight

While Orianne Cevey has dominated recent headlines, Phil Collins's first two wives, Andrea Bertorelli and Jill Tavelman, have chosen significantly quieter paths since their respective divorces, though not without their own moments of public attention.

Jill Tavelman: The Mother of a Hollywood Star

Jill Tavelman, Phil Collins's second wife, is the mother of Hollywood actress Lily Collins, star of the hit show Emily in Paris. After her divorce from Collins in 1996, Jill moved back to Los Angeles, California, with Lily. Tavelman has successfully transitioned to a quieter, more private life focused on her passions.

Today, Jill Tavelman is known to run an antiques store and enjoys traveling, maintaining a close relationship with her superstar daughter. She previously held the prestigious role of president of the Beverly Hills Women's Club and even made a cameo in the 1988 film Buster, which starred her then-husband. Her life is a study in grace and dedication, raising Lily away from the intense media scrutiny that often follows celebrity children.

Andrea Bertorelli: The Pursuit of Privacy

Andrea Bertorelli, Collins's first wife, has maintained the lowest public profile of the three. Their marriage from 1975 to 1980 produced two children: Simon Collins, who followed his father's footsteps as a musician and drummer, and Joely Collins, an actress. Their relationship was the subject of some controversy years later when Bertorelli reportedly sued Collins over claims made in his 2016 autobiography.

In the years following her divorce, Bertorelli chose a life of extreme privacy, spending years living on a remote Canadian island. As of 2025, she maintains a blog where she shares her passion for the natural world and its preservation, a clear indication of her focus away from the entertainment industry. Her quiet commitment to nature and family is in stark contrast to the high-stakes drama that has defined Collins's later relationships.

The Children and the Legacy of the Marriages

Across his three marriages, Phil Collins is a proud father to five children, each of whom represents a different chapter of his life. The children—Joely, Simon, Lily, Nicholas, and Matthew—have all found their own success, often in the arts, demonstrating a clear family legacy in the entertainment world.

Nicholas Collins, one of the sons from the marriage with Orianne Cevey, has notably followed his father's path as a drummer, performing with his father on the final leg of the Genesis "The Last Domino?" tour. Lily Collins, from his marriage to Jill Tavelman, is a globally recognized actress. These children are the enduring link between the three women and the legendary musician, a testament to the family that was created despite the high-profile divorces and financial settlements.

The total financial cost of his three separations, estimated to be over $66 million, is a stunning figure that highlights the financial complexity of a rock star's life. However, the real story lies in the distinct paths each of Phil Collins's wives took—one to quiet solitude, one to a successful life supporting her famous daughter, and one to ongoing public controversy and a new marriage.

phil collins wife
phil collins wife

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