Angie Bowie. Just the name conjures images of rock royalty and the wild, unapologetic glam rock era. Married to the iconic David Bowie from 1970 to 1980, Angie lived in the eye of the storm that was their unconventional relationship. But who is Angie Bowie, beyond the headlines and the chaotic marriage?

Angie Bowie’s Early Life: A Global Journey

Born as Mary Angela Barnett on September 25, 1949, in Ayios Dhometios, Cyprus, Angie Bowie’s life started in a whirlwind. Her father, a U.S. Army colonel, and her mother, an artist, whisked her around the world. By the age of nine months, Angie was already a seasoned traveler, hopping between Europe and America. From attending schools in Switzerland and Britain to later being expelled from a Connecticut college for a controversial relationship, Angie’s youth was anything but ordinary.

Her expulsion, following an incident with another female student, set the stage for her defiant, free-spirited attitude. School administrators may have tried to cage her in, but she literally jumped out of a second-story window. What can we say? The woman knew how to make an exit.

It wasn’t long before Angie found her tribe in London’s avant-garde scene—a culture shock for most, but a perfect fit for her.

A Wild Ride With David Bowie: Meeting The Man Behind Ziggy Stardust

In 1969, Angie met David Bowie through mutual friends in London. She was 19. He was a rising star. Their relationship took off quickly, though it was never the fairy-tale love story many might expect. The two were married just a year later, and their arrangement was… let’s just say, modern for the time. They embraced non-monogamy from the get-go and maintained that lifestyle throughout their decade-long marriage.

The night before their wedding? They reportedly had a threesome. So yeah, “traditional” isn’t the word here.

Angie wasn’t just a supportive wife, she was a driving force behind David’s persona. Remember Ziggy Stardust? Angie had a hand in crafting the androgynous, avant-garde rock god we all know and love. She played her part in his rise to superstardom, though she never claimed to have married David out of love. In fact, she once said, “We got married so that I could work.” Charming.

Despite the rocky foundation, their relationship gave birth to their son, Duncan “Zowie” Jones, in 1971.

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The Highs And (Cocaine) Lows: Life On The Edge

As David Bowie’s career skyrocketed, so did his drug use, which would become a massive source of strain. Angie’s life with Bowie was a rollercoaster of creativity, fame, and self-destruction. The tales of David’s drug-fueled paranoia are legendary—like the time he called her from L.A., claiming to be held captive by witches. You can’t make this stuff up. Angie, like a true ride-or-die, flew across the Atlantic to rescue him from what was likely a cocaine-induced fever dream.

Despite the chaos, Angie stood by David until their eventual divorce in 1980. According to Angie, David told her, “You have to divorce me so that we can both be free.” Ever the unconventional couple, they reportedly made love one last time, for three days straight, before going their separate ways.

Post-Divorce: Life After Bowie

Post-divorce, Angie moved on with her life, entering into relationships with musician Drew Blood and later electrical engineer Michael Gassett. The latter remains her partner today, and they live in Acworth, Georgia. Angie had another child, Stacia, with Blood, but her relationship with her first child, Duncan, didn’t fare as well.

After the divorce, Angie controversially left Duncan in David’s custody, claiming she didn’t want to fight over him. In hindsight, Angie has said she believed that being a parent would stabilize David. The estrangement between Angie and Duncan has remained ever since. In fact, she’s openly stated she has no interest in rekindling a relationship with her son, a fact that leaves many scratching their heads.

Angie Bowie’s Legacy: More Than Just David’s Ex

For years, Angie has reflected on her life with David Bowie in various interviews, books, and documentaries. She’s not shy about sharing her experiences, both the glamorous and the downright bizarre. And why should she be? Angie Bowie was a woman ahead of her time, unafraid to push boundaries and live life on her own terms.

Her candidness, especially about her tumultuous relationship with David, offers a raw and unfiltered look into the life of a rock icon’s partner—one who, by her own admission, was more interested in personal freedom than conforming to societal norms.