Net-A-Porter has a cover story on Iman. Not surprising, the photos are stunning because Iman is one of the best models ever. The article is an overview of her career and personal life, but it interestingly starts at the point she left the runway, focusing on her cosmetics business and philanthropic endeavors. She also discussed people’s crazy reactions over David Bowie’s death. Whereas she gets that we all lost Bowie, she wants people to understand it’s not the same thing as what she and his kids lost.
“People take pictures of me in the street, and say [touching my arm]: ‘I am so sorry for your loss.’” She pulls a face of fierce indignation. “I’m like, don’t touch me. You just took pictures of me, how can you be sorry?” She softens a little. “I get the fans’ grief, but it’s not the same. They have lost someone they look up to; we have lost a husband and a father.”
“And sometimes, I don’t want people to know how sad I am,” she continues. “People say to me, ‘Oh, you’re so strong.’” She rolls her eyes again. “I’m not strong – I am just trying to keep it together.”
I hesitantly broach the subject of whether she’d think about having another relationship. “I will never remarry,” she says, firmly. “I mentioned my husband the other day with someone, and they said to me: ‘You mean your late husband?’ I said, no, he is always going to be my husband.” She concedes: “I do feel very lonely. But do I want a relationship? I can’t say never, but no, not now.”
I’ve said this before, but I cannot imagine what it must be like for Iman to have to deal with Bowie’s death publicly. And it sounds like she understands what he meant to his fans but it really is insensitive to equate your loss with his widow’s loss. Considering Iman lost her husband and her mother only months apart, I don’t know how she’s done it thus far.
I really bristled at the ‘friend’ who felt they needed to remind Iman her husband was dead. I would quickly remove those kinds of friends from all future party invites. I also can’t understand the need to ask about a future relationship at all. She was with her husband for 26 years, let the poor woman grieve. Whether she moves on to another relationship or not, I have no doubt she’ll do what’s right for her. But I do agree with her, there will never be another Bowie.
Photo credit: Avalon
I’d imagine that Bowie is a tough act to follow
I loved them together because they always looked so happy. My mother (z”l) was a young widow who never stopped loving my dad (z”l), right up to the moment she died. That was 44 years after he did.
Had Iman gone first, Bowie (z”l) would probably be saying and doing exactly the same thing.
Nah, men tend to quickly remarry!
Even after divorce they move on quickly.
Yeah, I heard the average is around 3 months for dude’s to remarry (and I’ve seen it happen more than once in that time frame).
My best friend (male) got cheated by his wife with multiple men and 2 years on he hasn’t had a jump off yet. Says he wants to be a good example for his kids since she has brought two guys around the kids in the matter of 3 months.
I hope she gets counselling. She’s probably having a hard time with it being so public.
Why some people go up to celebrities and act like they are close friends I will never understand. How many people would like a stranger coming up and touching them?
People are strange
So much this. I’ve seen several celebrities IRL and have never (and would never) approached them. It’s just weird that people think they’re fair game when they’re not “on duty”.
David Bowie’s music meant a lot to me, but I would never in a million years presume to share grief or whatever with Iman. I am sad he died, but christ on a cracker that’s nothing compared to mourning the loss of your partner.
She has always been one of my all-time faves, I just love her. I don’t know how she’s handled her loss – I’m still sad about David, how must she feel? Plus she’s had to be there for their teenage daughter.
There was a double rainbow over New York City the day he died. Peace, Iman.
I used to wonder…and worry about a love like that she’s describing…
I don’t anymore…
I get it…I TOTALLY get it…
And I SO WONDER about folks when it comes to consent…why would you EVER think you could take a photo of someone…without their permission?
People to do it to famous people all the time, and famous people are expected to put up with it with good grace. Meanwhile, same people would flip out if you took their photo without asking.
My step father passed away almost 10 yrs ago & my mother never dated anyone else. They weren’t together as long as Iman & David but I think her love for him is so fierce she can’t imagine or simply does not want to be with anyone else. It worried me for a while but not anymore. Her heart is with her husband.
They were such a magnificent couple — two people who seemed absolutely meant to be together. Not many celebrity deaths really get to me, but the loss of David Bowie felt so…heavy. I cannot imagine what she is going through dealing with this publicly.
I appreciate Iman’s honesty about all of this. I cannot begin to imagine not only having to deal with your own grief privately but also publicly.
It seemed like she and David were each other’s rock, I am not surprised that she is not looking for a new husband at this point in her life. My father in law did not re-marry or date after my mother in law died (it was 15 years from her death to when he died. He was 50 when she died). When my stepfather died 8 years ago, my mother said she would never find another like him and to this day has no interest in dating.
In 1997 I went to London. I was in Gatwick airport and on the long escalators that they had there at the time. I was sooooo excited to see any celeb especially Naomi Campbell. In the distance I could see a tall black woman with long hair and sunglasses alongside a blond guy who was bent over the luggage cart pushing it on the opposite escalator coming towards us. My mouth dropped open when they past by me and my friend. It was David Bowie and Iman. My face must’ve been nuts because he busted out laughing at me shaking his head. My trip was made in the first 5 minutes. They were both so kool and gorgeous. A moment I will never forget.
This is UH-MAY-ZING!
I get that. My husband and I have been together since I was 19 and he was 22. (We’re 47 and 50 now.) He’s told me if something happens to me, he doesn’t want anyone else, and I feel the same way.
And by the way, she looks amazing as usual. I wonder how old she is now. She looks like she’s in her 40s!
I just googled and she was born in 1955(!). She is SIXTY THREE years old and still looks like that. Damn. She is a stunning woman.
That’s sweet about you and your husband too. My husband and I were about the same age as you and your hubby when we got together and I hope we are still saying the same thing 15 years from now!
That woman really is beautiful and ageless. I miss Bowie–he made the seventies for me.
I am 37 and I hope I find a love like theirs one day.