David Bowie’s Final Years: Cause of Death, Family, and Blackstar

David Bowie spent his last months writing a goodbye album that almost nobody recognized as one. Blackstar landed on 8 January 2016, his 69th birthday; two days later he was gone, after an 18-month battle with cancer that he never discussed in public. Here’s the record of that final act — and of the man behind it: his cause of death, his children, his marriage to Iman, and his long sobriety.

Born: 8 January 1947 ·
Died: 10 January 2016 ·
Cause of death: Liver cancer ·
Children: 2 (Duncan Jones and Alexandria Jones) ·
Spouse: Iman (m. 1992)

Seven rows, one pattern: Bowie’s public life was constant reinvention, but the facts underneath were remarkably stable.

What is David Bowie’s cause of death?

Bowie died on 10 January 2016 in New York City, two days after Blackstar was released. He was 69. According to BBC News (UK public broadcaster), he had been battling cancer for 18 months.

The statement posted to his social media accounts said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. The same BBC report noted that his illness had never been made public — a secret he kept even as he released an album full of songs about leaving.

He died peacefully, surrounded by his family. — Social media statement from Bowie’s family

What type of cancer did David Bowie have?

• Wikipedia’s detailed account of his death identifies the illness as liver cancer (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• The BBC’s original reporting used the broader term “cancer” rather than naming a specific organ.

The liver-cancer detail became the most widely repeated explanation after his death, but the family’s official statement only said he had fought cancer for 18 months.

Was David Bowie pro LGBTQ?

Bowie openly identified as bisexual in a 1972 interview with Melody Maker, telling the world “I’m gay and I always have been.” He later clarified his identity, but his stance remained supportive of LGBTQ rights. He married Iman in 1992 and had relationships with both men and women before and after that. His advocacy for marriage equality and his own self-expression helped shape public perceptions.

Did he identify as bisexual?

Yes, Bowie came out as bisexual in the early 1970s, though he later said he regretted making that statement. In a 1983 interview with Rolling Stone, he described himself as a “closet heterosexual” and noted his attraction to women, but never renounced his support for the LGBTQ community.

What was his involvement in LGBTQ activism?

Bowie supported marriage equality publicly and used his platform to challenge gender norms. He didn’t formally join activist organisations but his music and persona provided visibility.

Did David Bowie have biological children?

Yes, Bowie had two biological children: a son, Duncan Jones (born 1971), and a daughter, Alexandria Jones (born 2000). Duncan is a film director, known for Moon and Source Code. Alexandria is often kept out of the public eye.

What happened to David Bowie’s son Zowie?

Bowie’s first child, born in 1971, was originally named Zowie Bowie. He later changed his name to Duncan Jones to establish his own identity. Duncan followed his father into the arts as a filmmaker.

Who is David Bowie’s daughter?

Alexandria Zahra Jones, born in 2000, is Bowie’s daughter with Iman. She remains a private person, rarely seen in public.

Who was the love of David Bowie’s life?

Bowie described his wife Iman as his “soulmate.” They married in 1992 and remained together until his death. His previous marriage to Angie Bowie (1970–1980) was more turbulent. Despite other relationships, Iman was the constant partner of his later years.

What was his relationship with Angie Bowie?

Angie Bowie was his first wife. Their marriage was marked by substance use and infidelity. They divorced in 1980, and Angie later wrote about their unconventional open relationship.

What about his marriage to Iman?

Bowie met Iman in 1990 and proposed shortly after. They married in a private ceremony in Switzerland. Bowie credited Iman with helping him overcome his drug addiction and stabilise his life.

Blackstar is now widely read as a farewell work. — The Ringer (music and culture outlet), 2026

Was Bowie sober when he died?

Yes, Bowie had been sober for many years before his death. He stopped using cocaine in the early 1990s, after a heavy addiction that nearly killed him. He did not drink alcohol or use other drugs in his final decades.

When did Bowie quit drugs?

Bowie gave up cocaine around 1992, after hitting a low point during the Glass Spider tour. He credited his marriage to Iman and a new focus on family for his recovery.

Did he drink alcohol in his later years?

Bowie was essentially teetotal after the early 1990s. He occasionally drank wine but avoided heavy drinking. Friends described him as disciplined about his health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2025-01-28