Barry Gibb’s Kids With Wife Of 52 Years Have Followed In His Footsteps & He Prays For Them And His 7 Grandchildren

May 22, 2023

Barry Gibb is a renowned musician, singer and songwriter who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. As a member of the Bee Gees, he played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of the 1970s and became an icon of the disco era. Beyond his extraordinary career, Barry’s personal life has been marked by triumphs and tragedies.

Born on Sept. 1, 1946, in Douglas, Isle of Man, Barry grew up in a household filled with music. Barry and his brothers Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb formed a close-knit trio that would later become the Bee Gees. Relocating to Australia in 1958, the family’s musical talents began to flourish, and the Bee Gees’ journey toward global stardom took shape.

Barry served as the group’s primary songwriter, lead vocalist and instrumentalist. His distinctive falsetto voice, along with his knack for crafting infectious melodies and poignant lyrics, propelled the Bee Gees to international fame. With hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” the Bee Gees played an integral role in defining the disco genre and becoming one of the best-selling music acts of all time.

Despite the phenomenal success, Barry’s personal life has been marred by tragic events. In 1988, the Gibbs’ youngest brother, Andy Gibb, passed away at the age of 30 due to a heart condition exacerbated by substance abuse. Maurice’s sudden death in 2003 during an operation further deepened the family’s grief. In 2012, Robin passed away due to cancer without telling Barry he had been ill.

He has also had ups and downs in his romantic life. However, Gibb found love with the former Miss Edinburgh, Linda Gray. The pair have been married since Sept. 1, 1970, Gibb’s 24th birthday. They have since gone on to welcome a beautiful family together. 

After finding success and wealth with the Bee Gees, the Gibbs brothers were soon embroiled in the world of partying, drugs and alcohol that usually followed fame. Although the youngest brother, Andy, was not a member of the band, he found success as a solo artist but was plagued by the same vices that his older brothers Maurice and Robin were. Meanwhile, Barry was also exposed to the same temptations but credited his wife for keeping him on the straight and narrow. He told The Guardian:

“My brothers had to deal with their demons but I was married to a lady who wasn’t going to have it. I could bring drugs into the house but they would end up down the toilet. She never allowed me to go in that direction. I had to deal with my brothers being pretty much out there, but I was lucky.”

Barry first met Gray during a taping of the British TV show “Top of the Pops” and described it as “love at first sight,” even despite the fact he was still married at the time to his first wife and high school sweetheart, Maureen Bates. According to Daily Mail, he told Piers Morgan in 2017:

“When we first saw each other I thought it was love at first sight. I thought then, ‘That is the woman I am going to spend the rest of my life with.’ It did not matter about showbusiness.”

In the same interview, he also touched on how being the last surviving brother had left him more cautious of his surroundings.

“I don’t drive fast, anything that’s going to risk ending it for me, I don’t know why I am still here but I am very nervous about anything that could be fatal,” he said.

Barry’s personal life has also been shaped by his enduring love and strong familial bonds. In 1970, he married Gray, and their union produced five children – Stephen Gibb, 49, Ashley Gibb, 45, Travis Gibb, 42, Michael Gibb, 38, and Alexandra Gibb, 31 – and seven grandchildren. Throughout the highs and lows of his career, Gray has remained his steadfast companion, providing unwavering support. Barry’s children have also followed in his musical footsteps, showcasing the family’s inherent talent and passion for music.

Stephen and Ashley followed in their father’s footsteps and pursued music. Stephen was a member of several bands and also toured with his father as a guitarist. Ashley is a talented songwriter, and teamed up with his father and Stephen to co-write “Drown on the River” featured in the 2008 Burt Reynolds film “Deal.” 

Michael, meanwhile, also pursued the arts but through acting instead, and has had roles in films such as “Just South of Insanity” and “Buddies.” Barry’s only daughter, Alexandra, pursued journalism after graduation, becoming an award-winning news producer for several media outlets in Vancouver, Canada.

Having led such a high-profile life filled with ups and downs, Barry has eased into life at a slower pace and one that he said was guided by his faith. 

“I am a religious person, in that I am a person with a lot of faith,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald. “I have faith in myself. I have faith in my family. And I have faith in life, and a deep faith that there’s something after that.”

He added his loved ones are never far from his thoughts and said he prays for “the health of my family, my kids and my grandkids. And I pray for music to come back in a more romantic way.”

What are your thoughts on Barry Gibb’s journey? Did you know his children had such a fondness for the arts as he did? Let us know and don’t forget to pass this along to all the Bee Gees fans you know!