KISS’ Gene Simmons recently shared his candid marriage and divorce advice for young rock musicians. He offered practical financial guidance in a statement featured on Beardo and Weirdo.
The rock legend didn’t marry until age 62. He emphasized the financial risks of marriage and the importance of living below one’s means.
“I didn’t get married until I was 62. I’ll never get divorced. We’ve married I married her twice and I’ll continue to marry her until we drop dead,” Simmons said. “But my serious advice to anybody, heterosexual males of the species, is never consider marriage unless you can afford divorce.”
Simmons highlighted the stark financial realities facing divorced individuals.
“Because the statistics are overwhelmingly against you. And by the way, besides giving her half, the government wants half, too,” he continued. “That won’t leave you enough to wipe your ass with toilet paper. You’ll have to use your hand.”
The bassist also shared broader financial advice for musicians. He advocated for a business-minded approach to personal finances.
“Be an army of one. You’ve got to treat yourself as a business. What’s my budget? I make $1,000 a day or a week. Okay. Then I got expenses and taxes and everything,” he explained. “So, you’ve got to there’s a limit to how much. So, live be below your means. Rent, don’t buy. Once you buy, it starts to devalue.”
“Very few things, you know, maintain their value. Soon as you buy, something starts to go down. Then you got to pay upkeep with after tax dollars and so on,” Simmons added. “So, so you don’t have to buy anything. Just if you’re hungry, go to a restaurant, eat, you know, don’t become a farmer.”
Simmons’ marriage advice comes from personal experience. He navigated a complex relationship journey before finding lasting commitment.
Wikipedia reported that Simmons has been married to Shannon Tweed since October 1, 2011. They dated for nearly 28-29 years since 1983. Their relationship began when they met at the Playboy Mansion, where Tweed lived briefly as Hugh Hefner’s partner after being named Playboy Playmate of the Year in 1982.
The couple’s relationship faced significant challenges over the years. Their struggles were documented on their reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels (2006-2012). AmoMama noted that Simmons admitted difficulty staying faithful and acknowledged past mistakes. Tensions peaked around 2011 when rumors of a split circulated during the show’s sixth season. Despite Simmons’ infidelity and what he called “wacky stuff,” Tweed forgave him and prioritized their family. She provided stability and held him accountable throughout their nearly three-decade relationship.
The turning point came when Simmons experienced what he described as an “epiphany” during a trip to Belize. X-Rock 103.9 revealed that the rock legend feared dying “alone and miserable” without his soulmate. This prompted him to finally propose after 28 years together. Their wedding ceremony took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel with 400 guests in attendance. Their daughter served as maid of honor and their son as groomsman.
The couple has two children together: Nicholas, born in 1989, and Sophie, born in 1992. Since their marriage, Simmons has expressed no regrets about his decision. He credits Tweed for making him a better partner and calls their union a result of maturity. Their relationship, which he once described as a “whirlpool of emotions,” has evolved into a committed marriage focused on family and mutual support. The couple values family time over celebrity status.
