Rod Stewart, the raspy-voiced rock legend who’s charmed fans across generations with hits like Maggie May, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, and Forever Young, has lived a life as colorful and varied as his storied career. For decades, his stage presence and signature look—spiky hair, flashy suits, and that undeniable swagger—have been the stuff of rock ‘n’ roll myth. But when the curtain comes down and the crowd’s roar fades, who is Rod Stewart off-stage? Behind the rockstar image, lies a man deeply rooted in family, passion, and surprising personal interests that paint a picture far removed from his wild, rebellious stage persona.
The Rockstar at Home
Rod Stewart’s home life is as multifaceted as the man himself. Known for his extravagant stage shows and high-energy performances, you might expect Stewart to carry that same energy into his personal life. But at 79 years old, the legendary singer has found joy in a quieter, more grounded existence. These days, home for Stewart is not just a sanctuary but also a carefully curated reflection of the man behind the hits.
Stewart shares his sprawling estates between England and Beverly Hills with his third wife, Penny Lancaster, and their two sons, Alastair and Aiden. Family has always been important to Stewart, but as he’s grown older, it’s become a focal point of his life. He’s often spoken candidly about his experiences as a father—Stewart has eight children from five different women—and the lessons he’s learned along the way. His home life, he admits, wasn’t always so balanced, especially during the whirlwind peak of his fame in the ’70s and ’80s.
“Family has grounded me,” Stewart shared in an interview. “I wasn’t always the best father, but I’ve learned over time. I’ve made my mistakes, and I’m trying to do better every day.”
These days, the Stewart household is a bustling mix of children’s laughter, family dinners, and quiet evenings. Penny, a former model and now a TV personality, brings her own sense of style and warmth to the Stewart home, while their two young sons have injected fresh energy into Rod’s later years.
Despite his rockstar image, Stewart is known for being a devoted family man, with much of his time off-stage spent nurturing his children, relishing in their soccer matches, and cheering from the sidelines. “I’ve been through it all, and I’ve realized that family is what matters most,” he says. He’s often spotted at his sons’ football games, wearing a proud smile that suggests he’s just as comfortable on the sidelines as he is on stage.
The Art of Collecting: Rod Stewart’s Passion for Model Trains
While many would expect a rock star of Stewart’s caliber to indulge in more traditionally glamorous hobbies, one of his greatest passions is far from the glittering lights of showbiz. For over 20 years, Stewart has been an avid model train collector and enthusiast. His personal hobby of building intricately detailed model railway sets might come as a surprise to many fans who see him as the embodiment of rock ‘n’ roll excess, but for Stewart, it’s an artistic outlet, a way to unwind, and a lifelong fascination.
In his massive home in England, Stewart has dedicated entire rooms to his model train layouts, which depict a meticulously recreated 1940s American city, complete with tiny buildings, railways, and landscapes. “It’s a very calming thing for me,” Stewart revealed in an interview. “I can spend hours just working on the details, getting everything just right. It’s a chance to step away from the madness and focus on something else.”
Stewart has become something of an expert in the world of model railroading, even gracing the cover of Model Railroader magazine—a badge of honor he wears with pride. His love for this hobby started when he was just a boy, growing up in post-war London. “I couldn’t afford much back then, but I’d dream of these enormous train sets,” he recalls. “Now, I have the chance to build what I couldn’t as a kid.”
What’s remarkable about Stewart’s passion for model trains is the level of craftsmanship and dedication he brings to it. He’s known for working on the sets for hours on end, obsessing over every minute detail. For him, it’s not just a hobby but a form of artistic expression. “People might think it’s strange, but for me, it’s like building a song or writing lyrics. It’s all about creating something beautiful from the ground up.”
Rod Stewart, Soccer Superfan
Another one of Stewart’s passions, which he’s never kept hidden, is his love of soccer (or football, as he’d adamantly correct). A lifelong supporter of Celtic F.C., Stewart’s enthusiasm for the game is well-known and well-documented. From playing football in his youth to supporting his favorite teams with the same fervor that fans have for his music, the sport remains an integral part of his life.
The thrill of soccer was instilled in Stewart from a young age. Growing up in a working-class family in North London, Stewart played soccer at a semi-professional level before music swept him away. Even after fame claimed his career, Stewart’s love for football never waned. “If I hadn’t been a singer, I’d have been a footballer,” he often quips.
He’s been spotted countless times at games, waving Celtic’s green and white scarf, singing along with the chants, and even shedding tears when his team triumphs or loses. His children have inherited his love for the game, with Stewart often attending their matches, lending support from the stands. It’s not uncommon to see him running onto the field to celebrate a victory or kicking a ball around with his sons during downtime.
Stewart’s passion for soccer even extends into his music. He’s penned several football-inspired songs over the years, including “You’re in My Heart,” which he famously dedicated to Celtic and Scotland’s national team. For him, football isn’t just a pastime; it’s a lifelong love affair, a connection to his roots, and a link to his identity as Rod, the boy from North London.
Style Icon Off-Stage
Rod Stewart’s flamboyant style on stage—think leopard-print jackets, skinny scarves, and tight trousers—has become part of his rock star image. But when he’s at home or out on the town, his fashion sense takes on a more refined, classic tone. Though he’s still known for his love of tailoring, Stewart has evolved from his flamboyant ‘70s style to embrace a wardrobe that reflects his maturity, without losing that signature Rod swagger.
“I’ve always loved clothes,” Stewart admits. “Even before I had any money, I cared about how I looked.” His sartorial choices have always been an extension of his larger-than-life personality, but now, he’s more likely to be seen in a crisp, well-cut suit than a sequined jacket.
His love for custom tailoring is apparent. Whether he’s in a sharp tuxedo for a gala or in smart-casual attire while out with family, Stewart’s style remains impeccable. He’s fond of blending high fashion with casual ease, often pairing a suit jacket with jeans, or rocking a classic trench coat over a simple T-shirt. His look is one of understated elegance, a nod to his British roots and his enduring influence on the fashion world.
And while he may not be donning the wild stage costumes of his early days anymore, Stewart’s style off-stage is a reflection of his timeless appeal. Even as he approaches his eighties, Stewart continues to be a style icon, with his personal fashion choices inspiring fans and designers alike.
A Life Lived Full: Reflecting on Legacy
Rod Stewart’s home life and personal interests provide a window into a man who has lived life on his own terms. From the glitz and glamour of his early rock star days to the quieter, more family-focused life he leads now, Stewart’s evolution as a person mirrors his evolution as an artist. His love for his children, his passion for hobbies like model railroading, and his dedication to soccer are all reminders that behind the music and the fame, Stewart remains grounded in the things that truly matter to him.
His journey from a working-class boy in North London to one of the world’s most famous rock stars is a testament to his resilience, his work ethic, and his undeniable talent. And while his days of wild rock ‘n’ roll excess may be behind him, Stewart continues to be a force to be reckoned with—both in music and in life.
At his core, Rod Stewart is a man of contradictions: the rockstar who builds model trains, the football fanatic who cries at games, the style icon who prefers the simple pleasures of home. And perhaps that’s what makes him so fascinating—he’s never been just one thing, and he never will be.
As Stewart himself said: “Life’s about balance. You’ve got to have the big moments, the ones where you’re on stage in front of 50,000 people. But you’ve also got to have the quiet ones, when it’s just you, your family, and the things you love.”
In a world that often demands constant reinvention, Rod Stewart has stayed true to himself—and in doing so, he’s built a life as remarkable as his music.
