Phil Collins Reveals His One Major Regret at Age 75

Phil Collins Reflects on Life’s Regrets and Family Bonds

In a revealing interview with Piers Morgan on *Piers Morgan Uncensored*, music icon Phil Collins spoke candidly about his personal life, including the dissolution of his three marriages. The 75-year-old musician shared his reflections on the impact these separations have had on him, acknowledging a sense of regret while also highlighting the silver linings in his relationships.

During the conversation aired on 2 October, Collins responded to Morgan’s question about regrets by focusing on his marital history. “I regret, to some extent, I have to say, I regret my marriages falling apart,” he admitted. The legendary frontman of Genesis elaborated that while he felt “pushed” in two instances, he had also made decisions that contributed to his marriage difficulties.

Collins has been married three times and is the father of five children from these unions. Despite the heartache of his divorces, he recognised the positive outcome of being a father. “But on the other hand, I got five fantastic kids that I wouldn’t have if that hadn’t happened, so I have to balance it,” he remarked, demonstrating a reflective take on his life choices.

His first marriage was to Andrea Bertorelli between 1975 and 1980, with whom he has a daughter, Joely, and a son, Simon. In 1984, Collins wed Jill Tavelman, with whom he welcomed daughter Lily before their divorce in 1996. He subsequently married Orianne Cevey in 1999. Their relationship was tumultuous; while they initially divorced in 2008, they reconciled briefly before separating again in 2020. They share two sons, Nic and Matthew.

In his discussion with Morgan, Collins expressed that his intention was never to experience multiple marriages. “I didn’t want to be married three times. You don’t go into life thinking like that,” he stated, further illustrating the unexpected twists life can take.

Looking back on his first marriage, Collins blamed his intense career commitments for its breakdown. He recalled the non-stop touring schedule of Genesis in the late 1970s: “Genesis did, in one year, I think three American tours, two European tours, and a tour of Japan. And when I ended up getting separated from my first wife, the guys in the band said, ‘Well why didn’t you tell us? We’d have stopped it.’ But that’s easy to say in retrospect. I was gone, and we grew apart.”

His second marriage also presented challenges. Collins acknowledged that he treated Tavelman poorly, which was highlighted in an emotional memoir written by their daughter, Lily. In the book, she recounted her feelings of distance from her father during her upbringing. Reflecting on reading her memoir, Collins admitted, “It was hurtful,” although he has since reconciled with Lily and the family. They shared a touching Christmas dinner last year, where stories of fear and love were exchanged, marking a significant step in healing their familial bonds.

As the conversation turned to current events, Collins shared the joy of being a grandfather. His daughter Lily welcomed her first child, Tove, early this year, and Collins expressed his emotional connection to his family, noting how it brought a new depth to their relationships. “It was wonderful to hear their stories of how they feared they wouldn’t see me again,” he revealed, alluding to his health struggles.

Despite past health issues that had included difficult battles with his knees and kidney problems, Collins stated that he is feeling significantly healthier now, remarking in May that he is “healthier now than I have been for quite a while.” His notable health struggles have included undergoing dialysis, but he maintains a positive outlook as he moves forward.

In November, Collins is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, a significant honour that celebrates his contributions to music. However, he revealed that he has not played the drums in 15 years and does not even own a drum set at home. This candid admission speaks to the shifts in his life and career, as he embraces a new chapter focused on family and personal health.

Phil Collins’ reflections on his marriages and the journey to mend family ties resonate deeply, encapsulating a life of highs and lows interwoven with the greatest role of all—being a father.