Marianne Faithfull was married three times throughout her life: first to art dealer John Dunbar (1965–1970), then to punk musician Ben Brierly (1979–1986), and finally to actor Giorgio Della Terza (1988–1991). Despite these legal unions, her most famous romantic association was her high-profile relationship with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger from 1966 to 1970, a partnership that defined the “Swinging London” era but never resulted in marriage. Following her final divorce in the early 1990s, Faithfull did not remarry, though she maintained a long-term professional and personal partnership with her manager, François Ravard, until her passing in January 2025.
First Marriage: John Dunbar (1965)
Marianne Faithfull married John Dunbar, a Cambridge graduate and prominent figure in the London avant-garde art scene, on May 6, 1965. Dunbar was a central figure in the counterculture movement, famously co-founding the Indica Gallery where John Lennon would later meet Yoko Ono. The couple’s marriage was brief but culturally significant, placing Faithfull at the epicenter of London’s artistic revolution during the mid-1960s.
Their union produced Faithfull’s only child, a son named Nicholas, born in November 1965. While the marriage provided a stable entry into the London “intellectual” set, it quickly became strained as Faithfull’s pop stardom grew and she became increasingly integrated into the world of the Rolling Stones. By 1966, the couple had effectively separated, leading to a divorce that was finalized in 1970.
Relationship with Mick Jagger
Though never legally her spouse, Mick Jagger was the defining romantic partner of Marianne Faithfull’s early life, with their relationship lasting from 1966 to 1970. They were the “it” couple of the British Invasion, symbolizing the rebellion and glamour of the rock and roll lifestyle. Jagger and Keith Richards wrote Faithfull’s breakout hit “As Tears Go By,” cementing the professional link between the two artists.
The relationship was marked by intense creativity, with Faithfull serving as a muse for Stones’ classics like “Wild Horses” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” However, the pressures of fame, a tragic miscarriage in 1968, and the infamous 1967 Redlands drug bust took a toll on the couple. Faithfull eventually left Jagger in 1970, a move she later described as a necessary step to reclaim her own identity and career.
Second Marriage: Ben Brierly (1979)
After a decade of personal struggle and a triumphant musical comeback with the album Broken English, Marianne Faithfull married Ben Brierly on July 8, 1979. Brierly was a member of the punk band The Vibrators and played a key role in the gritty, new-wave sound that revitalized Faithfull’s career. This marriage represented a shift from the bohemian 60s to the aggressive, raw energy of the London punk scene.
The marriage lasted seven years, during which time Brierly often performed as part of Faithfull’s backing band. Despite the professional synergy, the couple battled personal demons and substance abuse issues that eventually led to their separation. They officially divorced in 1986, just as Faithfull was beginning to move toward a more sophisticated, jazz-influenced sound in her music.
Third Marriage: Giorgio Della Terza (1988)
Marianne Faithfull’s third and final marriage was to Italian actor Giorgio Della Terza in 1988. The wedding took place during a period when Faithfull was living in New York and working to stabilize her health and professional life after years of addiction. This union was characterized by a move away from the rock star lifestyle toward a more quiet, continental existence.
The marriage was relatively short-lived, ending in divorce in 1991. While Della Terza was less prominent in the public eye than her previous husbands, the end of this marriage marked the final time Faithfull would enter into a legal marital contract. Following this period, she focused primarily on her prolific recording career and her acclaimed work as a stage and film actress.
Practical Information and Career Timeline
For those researching the life of Marianne Faithfull or planning to visit archives related to her work, here are the essential facts and figures regarding her legacy.
Birth/Death Dates: Born December 29, 1946; Died January 30, 2025.
Location of Archives: The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London holds significant photography and fashion items related to her 1960s era.
Key Discography: Marianne Faithfull (1965), Broken English (1979), Strange Weather (1987), Negative Capability (2018).
What to Expect: Biographies of Faithfull typically focus on her “three lives”: the 60s pop princess, the 70s street survivor, and the elder stateswoman of rock.
Research Tip: For the most accurate personal accounts, consult her 1994 autobiography, Faithfull, which provides deep context on her marriages.
FAQs
Who was Marianne Faithfull’s first husband?
Her first husband was John Dunbar, an art dealer and scientist who co-founded the famous Indica Gallery in London. They were married from 1965 to 1970 and had one son, Nicholas.
Did Marianne Faithfull ever marry Mick Jagger?
No, despite being one of the most famous couples of the 1960s, Marianne Faithfull and Mick Jagger never married. Their relationship lasted approximately four years, from 1966 to 1970.
How many children did Marianne Faithfull have?
Marianne Faithfull had one child, a son named Nicholas Dunbar, born in 1965 during her marriage to John Dunbar. She suffered a miscarriage in 1968 while in a relationship with Mick Jagger.
Who was Ben Brierly?
Ben Brierly was Marianne Faithfull’s second husband, a punk musician known for his work with the band The Vibrators. They were married in 1979 and divorced in 1986.
Was Marianne Faithfull married at the time of her death?
No, Marianne Faithfull was not married when she passed away in 2025. She was, however, in a long-term partnership with her manager and companion, François Ravard.
Who was her third husband, Giorgio Della Terza?
Giorgio Della Terza was an Italian actor whom Faithfull married in 1988. The couple lived in New York for a portion of their marriage before divorcing in 1991.
What caused her divorce from John Dunbar?
The marriage became strained due to Faithfull’s rising fame and her eventual romantic involvement with Mick Jagger. She left the marital home in 1966, though the legal divorce took several years to finalize.
Did any of her spouses influence her music?
Yes, Ben Brierly was a significant influence and collaborator during her Broken English era, while John Dunbar introduced her to the intellectual and artistic circles that shaped her early aesthetic.
Where did Marianne Faithfull live during her marriages?
She lived primarily in London during her first two marriages and moved between New York, Ireland, and Paris during her third marriage and later years.
Is John Dunbar still alive?
Yes, as of recent reports, John Dunbar survived Faithfull and has remained an active figure in the art world, occasionally contributing to retrospectives about the 1960s.
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