Introduction
Rod Stewart at 80: Life Beyond the Spotlight and the Untold Stories
Rod Stewart – the legendary British rock and pop icon – is not only known for his distinctive raspy voice and captivating stage presence, but also for a life journey filled with triumphs, challenges, and extraordinary resilience. Now, as he approaches his 80s, Stewart continues to perform with passion, despite health struggles and heartfelt pleas from his family to finally slow down and rest.
The Dark Milestones in His Life
Rod Stewart shocked the world in 2000 when he revealed his thyroid cancer diagnosis. The illness not only threatened his life but also risked damaging the very voice that made him a global sensation. After surgery, he had to relearn how to sing, enduring months of vocal therapy to regain his strength and performance ability.
Nearly two decades later, Stewart faced another health battle — prostate cancer — which he kept secret for three years before announcing his recovery in 2019. On top of that, he has undergone full knee replacement surgery and ankle fusion due to the physical toll of years playing soccer. Yet, Stewart has remained committed to rehabilitation, including grueling pool workouts designed to restore his mobility.
A Family Hoping for His Retirement
Rod has eight children and three grandchildren, and they’ve grown increasingly concerned about his relentless touring schedule. Following the birth of his third grandchild, his children have encouraged him to retire and spend more time with family — not to diminish his legacy, but out of love and concern for his health.
Despite these worries, Stewart is pressing on with a 40-show world tour in 2023. While he recently hinted that his rock and roll performances may be coming to an end, he emphasized that he is not retiring. Instead, he’s transitioning toward more relaxed musical genres like swing and the Great American Songbook — a collection of classic American standards that previously earned him massive success.
The Man Behind the Music
Outside of music, Rod Stewart has a passion that few know about: model railways. In his Los Angeles home, he built a massive HO-scale model railway layout — spanning over 27 meters — that meticulously recreates the 1940s New York Central and Pennsylvania railroads. His dedication even earned him several Model Railroader magazine cover stories. For Stewart, this hobby is a source of deep joy and creative expression.
He’s also an avid car enthusiast, owning rare vehicles like the Ferrari Enzo. In 1982, he was the victim of a carjacking in Los Angeles, but luckily escaped unharmed. In 2022, he made headlines again — this time for personally filling potholes near his Essex home after an ambulance burst a tire on the damaged road. The act, though unorthodox, was widely praised for its sincerity and community spirit.
Honors, Wealth, and Giving Back
Rod Stewart was knighted in 2016 for his services to music and charity. In 2023, he paid for a full day of MRI scans at a local hospital to help shorten wait times — a gesture that showed his ongoing commitment to making a difference.
Despite personal challenges, Stewart has remained a musical powerhouse. With an estimated net worth of £215 million (as of 2021), he and his wife live in the luxurious Durrington House in Essex. But for Rod, the truest measure of success lies in his music and the joy it brings others.
Rod Stewart may be aging, and his body may be growing weaker, but his spirit and love for music remain undiminished. Nearing 80, he stands as a living testament to the idea that true artists never stop — they simply evolve.
