Gene Simmons Dated His Wife for 28 Years Before They Tied the Knot
After the wedding, Gene said, "It was a great evening of music and fun. I look at my wedding band and think, 'What was I afraid of all this time?'"
Published May 13 2024, 8:23 a.m. ET
In the glitzy whirl of rock 'n' roll history, few names shine as brightly as Gene Simmons, the co-founder and bassist of the legendary band KISS. Known for his onstage persona "The Demon," Gene has not only made an indelible mark on the music industry but also on pop culture at large with his larger-than-life character, entrepreneurial ventures, and controversial statements.
However, beyond the pyrotechnics, iconic makeup, and thunderous performances lies another facet of Gene's life that captivates fans and the public alike — his long-standing relationship with Shannon Tweed. But, what do we know about Gene Simmons's wife?
Meet Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons' wife.
Per CBC Radio Canada, Shannon was born in Newfoundland, Canada, and grew up on a farm. Shannon ended up leaving her family's home at 14 years old after her father was in a car accident and went into a coma. She moved to Ottawa and began working in the food industry. However, Shannon was determined to get into the modeling scene. In 1978, she won a pageant in Canada for her singing. Then, in 1981, she was named Playboy Playmate of the Month for November, and in 1982, she was named Playmate of the Year.
Gene and Shannon met while she was staying at the Playboy Mansion in 1982. According to People, Shannon and Gene dated for 28 years before they tied the knot. Gene proposed to Shannon while filming their reality TV show Gene Simmons' Family Jewels. They said "I do" in 2011.
However, there was a bit of drama before they got married. In an interview with The Joy Behar Show, Joy Behar made comments about Gene's infidelity. Shannon replied, "That’s very nice for you to joke about it," before she stormed off of the show. But, they got married a few months later. At their wedding, Gene shared with People, "It was a great evening of music and fun. I look at my wedding band and think, 'What was I afraid of all this time?'"
Do Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed have any children?
Shannon and Gene share two children — Nick and Sophie. They welcomed their son Nick into the world on Jan. 22, 1989, and their daughter Sophie on July 7, 1992. Nick and Sophie have shared about their upbringing and the impact that it's had on their own successful careers. Sophie is a model and singer, while Nick works as a musician and voice-over actor.
Back in the October 2022 interview with Where My Moms At podcast, Nick shared, "I was in school. I didn't miss school ever. They were very adamant that I don't be weird in Hollywood too early. So I didn't really get it until late teens, early 20s when the show kicked in."
Sophie shared with People in 2018, "I was always writing songs my whole life, but it wasn't something I considered doing as a career just because it was what my family did, and I didn't want to be compared. I wanted to be my own person. But you can't help what you're passionate about."
