David Bowie and Iman's love story
Bowie once said "You would think that a rock star being married to a supermodel would be one of the greatest things in the world. It is." The rocker and the model is the classic celebrity story, but David Bowie and Iman's 23-year marriage was an enduring love story from the time the first time they met until the 69-year-old Bowie's death on Jan. 10, 2016, after an 18 month battle with cancer.
In this photo, Iman and her husband, singer David Bowie arrive at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards in New York, June 3, 2002.
Bowie & Iman - 2011
David Bowie and Iman attend the DKMS' 5th annual Gala: Linked Against Leukemia at Cipriani Wall Street on April 28, 2011 in New York.
Bowie has often said he fell in love with the Somali-born supermodel Iman at first sight when the two met at a dinner party in 1990. Iman had to be persuaded into the relationship. She is quoted in 2011 as saying, "I did not want to get involved with a rock star. No way, It is not a sane thing to do, but David changed my mind. He wooed me ... " They married in 1992.
Iman posted a string of messages and photos of her husband on her social media accounts on the occasion of Bowie's 69th birthday, January 8, 2016. In a January 9 Facebook post she wrote: "I will love you till I die, I will see you in the sky #tonight happy birthday Mr Bowie," above a photo of her husband embracing Tina Turner.
Bowie & Iman - 2010
Iman and David Bowie, attend the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York on June 7, 2010.
On January, 9, 2016, Iman posted on Instagram: "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." Bowie died after an unpublicized 18-month battle with cancer, just two days after he turned 69.
The couple has a daughter, 15-year-old Alexandria Zahra Jones. Bowie has a son Duncan Jones, from a previous marriage to Angela Barnett. Iman has a daughter, Zukleha, from a previous marriage to basketball star Spencer Haywood.
Bowie & Iman - 2009
David Bowie and Iman arrive for the premiere of "Moon" during the Tribeca Film Festival at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York on April 30, 2009.
In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Iman was quoted as saying, "I was not ready for a relationship. Definitely I didn't want to get into a relationship with somebody like him. But as I always said: I fell in love with David Jones. I did not fall in love with David Bowie. Bowie is just a persona. He's a singer, an entertainer. David Jones is a man I met."
Bowie was born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947. He changed his name to prevent confusion with British singer Davy Jones, who became famous as a member of The Monkees.
Bowie & Iman - 2008
Rocker David Bowie escorts his wife, fashion model Iman, into the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala, in celebration of the new exhibition entitled "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 5, 2008, in New York.
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid was discovered by the well-known British photographer Peter Beard walking on a street in the Kenyan capitol, Nairobi, in 1975. Beard asked to photograph the then-college student. In turn, she asked for a fee of $8,000, which covered a year of college tuition for her. She went on to became the one-name fashion sensation and international supermodel known simply as Iman.
Bowie & Iman - 2008
Iman and David Bowie, arrive at the Vanity Fair party for the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival held at the State Supreme Courthouse April 22, 2008 in New York.
Bowie was a celebrated and innovative singer whose illustrious career lasted five decades. His musical hits included "Fame," ''Heroes" and "Let's Dance." Bowie had a huge impact as a singer, songwriter, actor and fashion icon.
When the Somali-born Iman started her career there were different rate cards for black models and white ones. Iman, 60, started a multi-million dollar cosmetics company called Iman Cosmetics in 1994, after retiring from modeling. The company has an emphasis on makeup for darker complexions and she continues to fight for equality in the fashion world.
Bowie & Iman - 2007
David Bowie poses with model Iman during the 25th Anniversary of the Annual CFDA Fashion Awards held at the New York Public Library June 4, 2007, in New York.
The couple married in a private civil ceremony April 24, 1992 in Lausanne, Switzerland. If was later made official in a church service at the American Church of St. James in Florence, Italy on June 6, which happened to be the 20th anniversary of the release of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust.
Bowie & Iman - Tribeca Film Festival
Iman and her husband David Bowie laugh and take a bow as they arrive at the Vanity Fair Tribeca Film Festival Party in New York on April 24, 2007.
Yoko Ono and Bono were among the small number of guests at the Tuscany wedding in 1992.
Bowie & Iman - 2005
David Bowie and Iman pose at the 2005 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, June 6, 2005.
Bowie's album "Black Tie White Noise" was inspired by his marriage to Iman. The album contains the songs "The Wedding" and "The Wedding Song."
Bowie & Iman 2003
Model Iman and husband musician David Bowie attend the amFAR Benefit Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on February 3, 2003 in New York City.
Lyrics from Bowie's "The Wedding Song": "Heaven is smiling down, heaven's girl in a wedding gown. I'm gonna be so good, just like a good boy should. I'm gonna change my ways. Angel for life.... She's not mine for eternity. Though I'll never fly so high I'm smiling."
Bowie & Iman - 1997
Rock and roll legend David Bowie gestures to the crowd before receiving the 2,083rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Feb. 12, 1997, as his wife, supermodel Iman, looks on.
The death bed imagery and lyrics from Bowie's latest album, Blackstar -- released on January 8, 2016 -- seem to suggest he not only knew what was coming, but he turned his death into his last artistic event.
Bowie & Iman 1995
David Bowie and Iman in November 7, 1995.
Bowie & Iman - 1991
David Bowie is seen with Iman smiling in 1991.