Rocker Rod Stewart, who was seven when the queen came to the throne, said she had 'always been part of my life'

Rod Stewart has spoken candidly about the heartbreak of his split from model Rachel Hunter, describing their separation as 'devastating' and admitting that even years later, 'She had everything I could possibly want.'

The 79-year-old singer opened up in an interview published on 1 July by People, reflecting on the end of their marriage in 1999. Speaking from London, Stewart described the emotional toll of the breakup as something that 'tore [him] to shreds.'

A heartbreak that lingered long after the headlines

Stewart and Hunter were married for nine years before their separation. Though the divorce was not finalised until 2006, it was her sudden departure, according to Stewart, that truly floored him. 'I couldn't believe it,' he said. 'I was a rock star. You don't dump a rock star.'

The couple first met in 1990 when Hunter was just 21 and Stewart was already an international star. Three months later, they married. They went on to have two children together — daughter Renée and son Liam — and were often photographed as one of the era's most glamorous couples.

But behind the flashbulbs and headlines, Stewart says the relationship's breakdown left lasting emotional scars. 'It broke my heart,' he recalled. 'I didn't see it coming.'

Respect and honesty, even years later

Despite the pain, Stewart spoke of Hunter with deep admiration. 'She's got everything — beauty, brains, strength,' he told People. 'She's still the most beautiful woman I've ever known.'

Now married to Penny Lancaster, whom he wed in 2007, Stewart made clear that he is in a good place emotionally. 'Penny is the love of my life,' he said. But he does not pretend the past did not shape him. 'What happened with Rachel — that was something I had to grow from. It changed me.'

The interview, which touched on many chapters of Stewart's life, struck a chord with fans online. Many praised his willingness to speak openly about pain, regret, and the marks that love can leave behind.

A rock star with a romantic streak

Rod Stewart's personal life has always been headline material. From his high-profile relationships with Alana Stewart and Kelly Emberg to his large blended family of eight children, he has never shied away from the public eye.

But his reflections on Hunter stand out not for their drama, but for their sincerity. More than two decades later, there is still a softness in the way he speaks about her. 'It was real,' he said simply.

Hello! coverage mirrored that tone, noting how Stewart's honesty feels refreshingly grounded in a world often filled with celebrity posturing. There is no bitterness in his words — just a sense that some chapters, even painful ones, deserve to be remembered.

Looking back without losing sight of now

Now approaching 80, Stewart says he has learned to look back without getting stuck in the past. 'You've got to know where you've been to understand where you're going,' he said. It is a sentiment that runs through not only his personal reflections but also his music.

Rachel Hunter has not publicly responded to Stewart's remarks, but the two remain connected through their children. According to Stewart, co-parenting over the years has brought them to a place of mutual respect.

'We didn't make it last forever,' he said. 'But we did make something beautiful.'