Keith Richards Age, Career, Net Worth, Family & Wife 2026

Keith Richards age has become a legendary topic of conversation among music fans worldwide. Born on December 18, 1943, this iconic Rolling Stones guitarist turned 82 years old in December 2025, continuing to defy expectations and redefine what it means to be a rock legend in the modern era.

As one of the most influential musicians in rock history, Richards has spent over six decades shaping the sound of popular music, accumulating a staggering $600 million net worth, and maintaining a devoted 43-year marriage to supermodel Patti Hansen.

His story is one of extraordinary talent, remarkable resilience, and enduring cultural impact that spans generations.

Quick Facts About Keith Richards

Detail	Information
Full Name	Keith Richards
Birth Name	Keith Richards (briefly used Keith Richard 1963-1978)
Date of Birth	December 18, 1943
Age	82 years old (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Dartford, Kent, England
Current Residence	Weston, Connecticut, USA
Nationality	British
Profession	Musician, Songwriter, Record Producer, Guitarist
Net Worth	$600 million (2026 estimate)
Band	The Rolling Stones (1962-present)
Famous Nickname	“The Human Riff”
Height	5’9″ (175 cm)
Zodiac Sign	Sagittarius
Wife	Patti Hansen (married 1983-present)
Children	5 (Marlon, Angela, Tara†, Theodora, Alexandra)
Years Active	1960-present (64+ years)
Signature Guitar	Fender Telecaster “Micawber”
Songwriting Partner	Mick Jagger
Famous For	Co-founding The Rolling Stones, legendary riffs, open G tuning

Keith Richards’ Age and Legendary Longevity

At 82 years old in 2026, Keith Richards continues to challenge conventional wisdom about aging, health, and rock and roll longevity. His December 18, 1943 birth date makes him a Sagittarius, and true to the zodiac sign’s reputation for adventure and independence, Richards has lived one of rock’s most colorful and unconventional lives.

What makes Keith Richards’ age particularly fascinating is how he has defied decades of predictions about his mortality. The internet is filled with jokes asking “What kind of world will we be leaving behind for Keith Richards?”—a humorous reference to his seemingly indestructible nature despite a lifestyle that would have ended most careers decades ago.

His survival and continued vitality have become legendary, making him not just a rock icon but a cultural phenomenon.

Interestingly, while Keith often jokes about his age and receives most of the “immortal rocker” attention, his longtime bandmate and songwriting partner Mick Jagger is actually a few months older, having been born on July 26, 1943.

Both men turned 82 in 2025, proving that The Rolling Stones’ longevity isn’t just about Keith’s legendary constitution—it’s about two extraordinarily talented and driven individuals who continue to create music well into their eighties.

In recent years, Richards has been candid about the effects of aging on his performance. In October 2023, he spoke to BBC News about how arthritis in his hands has affected his guitar playing. “Funnily enough, I’ve no doubt it has, but I don’t have any pain, it’s a sort of benign version,” he explained.

“I think if I’ve slowed down a little bit it’s probably due more to age.” He added philosophically, “And also, I found that interesting, when I’m like, ‘I can’t quite do that any more,’ the guitar will show me there’s another way of doing it.”

This adaptability and philosophical approach to aging has allowed Richards to remain an active touring musician even as he enters his ninth decade. In December 2025, reports emerged that The Rolling Stones had canceled plans for a 2026 European stadium tour because Keith said he couldn’t commit to such an extensive road trip. However, this doesn’t signal retirement—rather, it shows a musician making smart decisions about his health and energy while keeping the door open for future performances when he’s “good and ready.”

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Keith Richards was born in Dartford, Kent, England, on December 18, 1943, to Doris Maud Lydia (née Dupree) and Herbert William Richards. As an only child, Richards received significant attention from his family, particularly his maternal grandfather, Augustus Theodore “Gus” Dupree, who would prove instrumental in shaping his musical destiny.

Gus Dupree was a jazz musician who toured Britain with his big band, Gus Dupree and His Boys. He nurtured young Keith’s interest in music and, most importantly, gave him his first guitar.

According to family legend, Gus kept a guitar on the mantelpiece and told Keith that when he was old enough to take it down, he could have it. This became Richards’ first guitar and sparked a lifelong passion that would change popular music forever.

Richards’ childhood took an important turn when he attended Wentworth Primary School, where he met a neighbor boy named Michael Philip Jagger—better known as Mick Jagger. The two boys became friends, bonding over their shared love of music and performing. Richards would later recall singing together at their primary school, though they lost touch when Jagger transferred to Dartford Grammar School.

Between 1955 and 1959, Richards attended Dartford Technical High School for Boys, but was expelled for truancy. He then enrolled at Sidcup Art College, where he met Dick Taylor and began to seriously focus on learning guitar.

Richards taught himself to play solos by Chuck Berry and other blues and rock pioneers, spending hours perfecting his technique and developing what would become his signature sound.

The turning point came in 1961 when Richards ran into Jagger by chance at a train station in Kent. Jagger was heading to classes at the London School of Economics and was carrying mail-order rhythm and blues albums from Chess Records by Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters.

These albums revealed their mutual passion for American blues music and led to a renewal of their friendship that would prove to be one of the most successful partnerships in music history.

Jagger was singing in an amateur band called Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys with Dick Taylor, and Richards soon joined. The group dissolved when Brian Jones invited Jagger and Richards to the Bricklayers Arms pub, where they met Ian Stewart and bonded over their shared interest in blues music.

By mid-1962, Richards had left Sidcup Art College to devote himself entirely to music, moving into a London flat with Jagger and Jones. This decision coincided with his parents’ divorce, resulting in his staying close to his mother and remaining estranged from his father until 1982.

The Rolling Stones: Over Six Decades of Rock History

In 1962, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, and Ian Stewart formed what would become The Rolling Stones—arguably the greatest rock and roll band in history. The band took their name from the Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone,” reflecting their deep roots in American blues music.

The Rolling Stones signed to Decca Records in 1963, beginning a journey that would span over 60 years and counting. Their manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, initially advised Richards to drop the “s” from his surname, believing that “Keith Richard” looked more pop and echoed the name of British rock singer Cliff Richard. Richards used this stage name from 1963 until 1978, when he switched back to using his legal name, Keith Richards, in all public and private contexts.

The Jagger/Richards Songwriting Partnership

One of the most significant developments in The Rolling Stones’ history was the emergence of the Jagger/Richards songwriting partnership, often referred to as “the Glimmer Twins.” Manager Andrew Loog Oldham pushed the pair to write their own material in 1963, believing the band couldn’t depend on outside songwriters forever.

The earliest Jagger/Richards collaborations were actually recorded by other artists, including Gene Pitney, whose rendition of “That Girl Belongs to Yesterday” became their first top-ten single in the UK. But soon, Richards and Jagger were writing all of The Rolling Stones’ original material, creating an unprecedented catalog of rock classics.

Fourteen songs co-written by Richards and Jagger appear on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” including “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Wild Horses,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Start Me Up.” This songwriting partnership has produced more hit songs than almost any other duo in rock history.

Richards’ Guitar Style and Innovation

Keith Richards is renowned for creating what Rolling Stone magazine called “rock’s greatest single body of riffs.” The magazine ranked him fourth on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time in 2015, recognizing his revolutionary approach to rock guitar.

Richards’ playing style is heavily influenced by early 20th-century American blues players, especially Robert Johnson and rock pioneer Chuck Berry. What sets him apart is his innovative use of the five-string open G tuning—a banjo-inspired tuning where the guitar’s lowest string is removed. This technique creates the distinctive sound that has become synonymous with The Rolling Stones.

His primary instrument is one of the most famous guitars in rock music: a blond-bodied blackguard Fender Telecaster nicknamed “Micawber.” Richards modified this guitar by replacing its single-coil neck pickup with a double-coil pickup for a thicker sound, and swapping the bridge pickup with a lap steel pickup.

This combination of blues musicality, open G tuning, and electronics modification creates Richards’ signature tone, earning him the nickname “the Human Riff.”

Richards plays both lead and rhythm guitar parts, often in the same song. The Rolling Stones are known for their guitar interplay of rhythm and lead—”weaving”—between Richards and the band’s other guitarist over the years: Brian Jones (1962-1969), Mick Taylor (1969-1975), and Ronnie Wood (1975-present).

In the recording studio, Richards sometimes plays all guitar parts, notably on songs like “Paint It Black,” “Ruby Tuesday,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “Gimme Shelter.”

Vocal Contributions

While Mick Jagger is The Rolling Stones’ primary vocalist, Keith Richards has sung lead on more than ten Rolling Stones songs, including beloved tracks like “Happy,” “You Got the Silver,” “Connection,” “Little T & A,” and “The Worst.” Since the band’s 1972 tour, Richards has typically sung lead vocals on one or two songs per concert, giving Jagger time to change outfits between sets.

Richards usually starts these vocal segments with Max Miller-style routines such as “It’s nice to be here—it’s nice to be anywhere,” giving audiences a moment to catch their breath and adding his distinctive personality to the performance. During the 2006 and 2007 tours, Richards sang “You Got the Silver” without playing any instrument, showcasing his vocal abilities.

The Band’s Unprecedented Success

The Rolling Stones have released over 100 albums throughout their career, including 30 studio albums, and have performed more than 2,000 concerts globally.

They’ve sold over 240 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The band continues to tour regularly, often earning over $100 million per tour.

For example, in 2018, The Rolling Stones earned $117 million from just 14 shows—an average of over $8 million per concert. In 2021, they brought in $115.5 million for 14 concerts. This remarkable earning power demonstrates that even in their eighties, The Rolling Stones remain one of the highest-grossing live acts in music history.

Keith Richards has appeared in over 8,200 Rolling Stones performances, rarely missing shows throughout the band’s modern syndicated run that began in September 1983.

His dedication and professionalism are remarkable, especially given his well-documented lifestyle challenges over the decades.

Keith Richards’ Impressive Net Worth

As of 2026, Keith Richards’ net worth is estimated at $600 million, making him one of the wealthiest rock musicians in the world. This vast fortune stems from multiple income streams accumulated over six decades in the entertainment industry.

Primary Income Sources

• Rolling Stones Touring Revenue: The Rolling Stones remain one of the highest-grossing touring acts in history. Richards earns a substantial share of tour profits. With individual concerts grossing up to $10 million, even a short tour can generate tens of millions in income for the band members.
• Songwriting Royalties: As co-writer of virtually all Rolling Stones original material since 1963, Richards receives massive ongoing royalties from the band’s vast catalog. These compositions are played on radio, streamed online, used in films and commercials, and performed by countless other artists, generating continuous passive income.
• Album Sales and Streaming: The Rolling Stones have sold over 240 million records worldwide. Even decades after release, these albums continue to generate income through physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming services.
• Music Production: Since the 1960s, Richards has worked as a music producer, earning royalties from artists like Aretha Franklin and many others.

Solo Career and Side Projects

Beyond The Rolling Stones, Richards has pursued several solo ventures:

• Solo Albums: Richards released his first solo single, a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” in 1978. After Jagger pursued a solo career in 1987, Richards formed the group “X-Pensive Winos” with co-writer and co-producer Steve Jordan. Their first record, “Talk Is Cheap” (1988), went gold and was followed by successful solo American tours. His second solo album, “Main Offender” (1992), further established his solo credibility.
• Book Sales: Richards’ 2010 autobiography “Life” became an international bestseller, earning him millions in advances and royalties. The book was widely acclaimed for its honest, vivid storytelling and insider perspective on rock history.
• Film Appearances: Richards made memorable cameo appearances in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series, playing Captain Teague, father of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow character. Depp has acknowledged that he based much of Jack Sparrow’s mannerisms, voice, and personality on Richards, making these appearances particularly meaningful to fans.

Real Estate Portfolio

Richards owns multiple valuable properties around the world:

• Primary Residence: An 8,000-square-foot mansion on eight acres in Weston, Connecticut, which he purchased in 1985. This remains his primary home where he lives with his wife Patti Hansen.
• Redlands Estate: A historic Sussex estate in England that Richards bought in 1966 for £20,000 (approximately £313,000 in today’s money). This property has significant historical value and has appreciated dramatically over nearly 60 years of ownership.
• Parrot Cay Property: A luxury rental property on the private resort island of Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This Caribbean retreat generates rental income and serves as a vacation destination for the Richards family.
• West Wittering Property: Another property in West Sussex, England, adding to his UK real estate holdings.

Guitar Collection

Richards owns approximately 3,000 guitars, an impressive collection that represents both personal passion and significant investment value. Vintage guitars have appreciated dramatically over the decades, making this collection worth millions. On tour, Richards travels with at least 60 guitars to ensure he has the right instrument for every song and situation.

Personal Life: Love, Family, and Marriage

Meeting Patti Hansen

Keith Richards’ personal life changed dramatically in 1979 when he met American supermodel Patti Hansen at the legendary Studio 54 nightclub in Manhattan. It was Hansen’s 23rd birthday, and Richards was 35 years old. The Rolling Stones were at the peak of their fame, and Hansen was already a successful model, having appeared on the cover of American Vogue 12 times between 1975 and 1978.

Richards was immediately smitten, later writing in his autobiography “Life”: “Incredibly I’ve found a woman. A miracle! She is the most beautiful … specimen in the WORLD. But that ain’t it! It certainly helps but it’s her mind, her joy of life, and she thinks this battered junkie is the guy she loves.”

Hansen’s initial reaction was more measured—she wasn’t particularly impressed and wasn’t a big Rolling Stones fan. However, nine months later, Mick Jagger’s then-girlfriend Jerry Hall invited Hansen to Richards’ 36th birthday party, and that’s when their romance truly began.

“When Patti and I met it was just … boom,” Richards described to Vanity Fair. “There was life before Patti and life after. We just clicked, and she rescued me from, shall we say, dark periods.”

The 43-Year Marriage

Richards proposed to Hansen in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 1983. According to Richards’ telling, Hansen was so happy that she jumped on his back and broke his toe—though Hansen notes it wasn’t the first time he’d asked, and it took a few proposals to elicit that enthusiastic response.

They married on December 18, 1983—Keith’s 40th birthday—at the Finisterra Hotel in Cabo San Lucas. Mick Jagger served as best man, and the wedding was officiated by local civil registrar Mercedes Ceseña Chong. The ceremony and reception featured traditional Mexican music and mariachi bands, creating a memorable celebration that helped put Los Cabos on the map as a celebrity destination.

As of 2026, Richards and Hansen have been married for 43 years, a remarkable achievement in any context but particularly impressive in the rock and roll world.

They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in December 2023, with Richards posting a photo from their wedding day on Instagram with the caption: “For Patricia, Happy 40th Anniversary! I love you. Keith🖤”

Hansen has spoken about the keys to their lasting relationship. “Any marriage, Rolling Stone or not, there’s definitely going to be some rocky mountains there,” she told Vogue in 2010. “We have had our trials; that’s for sure. But on the whole, it’s great. We both have the same morals and background. We both come from working-class families. I think we are very similar in many ways.”

The couple lives primarily in their Weston, Connecticut home, where Hansen describes them as “the ultimate old married couple.” Throughout their marriage, Richards has shown his love through creative gestures, constantly making Hansen mixtapes with beautiful drawings, and even creating collages with photos and notes. Hansen has saved thousands of these tapes, treasuring these personal expressions of affection.

Children and Family

Keith Richards is the father of five children from two relationships:

From his relationship with Anita Pallenberg (1967-1979):

• Marlon Leon Sundeep Richards (born 1969): Now 57 years old, Marlon maintains a relatively private life
• Dandelion Angela Richards (born 1972): Known as Angela, she is now 54 years old
• Tara Jo Jo Gunne Richards (1976): Tragically died at two months old from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

From his marriage to Patti Hansen:

• Theodora Dupree Richards (born 1985): Now 41 years old, Theodora has pursued modeling and music
• Alexandra Nicole Richards (born 1986): Now 40 years old, Alexandra is also a model and artist

Richards is particularly protective of his daughters with Hansen. He has joked about intimidating their boyfriends by taking them to another part of the house to show them knife tricks, warning them not to make his daughters suffer. However, he also trusts his daughters’ instincts and judgment.

The family remains close, with Richards frequently posting photos with his children and grandchildren. He is now a grandfather to at least five grandchildren, embracing this role with the same passion he brings to music. “You get down the line, baby, what counts is family,” Richards told GQ. “This is what I did it for.”

Previous Relationship

Before meeting Patti Hansen, Richards had a significant 12-year relationship with German-Italian model and actress Anita Pallenberg. She had previously been in a relationship with Richards’ Rolling Stones bandmate Brian Jones but left him when he became unstable and violent.

Richards and Pallenberg’s relationship was passionate but tumultuous, marked by the challenges of drug addiction and the rock and roll lifestyle of the late 1960s and 1970s. Despite eventually separating, they remained connected through their children.

Career Achievements and Recognition

Awards and Honors

Keith Richards’ contributions to music have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted with The Rolling Stones in 1989, recognizing the band’s monumental impact on rock music
• Songwriters Hall of Fame: Inducted with Mick Jagger in 1993, acknowledging their prolific and influential songwriting partnership
• Guinness World Record: While not a formal music award, Richards holds a unique place in music history
• Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence: In March 2025, Richards received the first-ever Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence, recognizing his decades-long contributions to music and philanthropy

Critical Acclaim

Rolling Stone Magazine Rankings:

• Ranked #4 on the list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” (2015)
• Credited with creating “rock’s greatest single body of riffs”
• Fourteen Jagger/Richards compositions appear on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list

Cultural Impact: Richards inspired Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, demonstrating his influence beyond music into popular culture. Tom Waits honored Richards with a poem titled “Burnt Toast To Keith” in 2023, showing the deep respect he commands from fellow artists.

Recent Years and Current Status

Health and Lifestyle Changes

At 82 years old, Keith Richards has made significant lifestyle changes from his notorious past. He has been open about overcoming his well-documented struggles with drugs, particularly heroin addiction that plagued him during the 1960s and 1970s. His recovery and continued health into his eighties represent a remarkable personal achievement.

In recent years, Richards has dealt with age-related challenges, including arthritis in his hands that affects his guitar playing. However, he maintains a philosophical attitude, viewing these changes as opportunities to discover new ways of playing rather than limitations.

The Rolling Stones in 2026

While The Rolling Stones canceled plans for a 2026 European stadium tour due to Richards’ inability to commit to such an extensive road trip, the band remains active. Since April 2025, Richards, Jagger, and Ronnie Wood have been working at London’s Metropolis Studios, recording their 25th studio album with producer Andrew Watt.

They’ve laid down 13 tracks, proving that even in their eighties, The Rolling Stones continue creating new music.

Band spokesman Bernard Doherty explained that “when they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months at this time.”

He added that while it might be “hard for their fans… The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”

This approach shows Richards making smart decisions about his health and energy while keeping future performance options open. The focus on studio work rather than extensive touring may represent a new chapter for the band, prioritizing creation over grueling tour schedules.

Continued Cultural Relevance

Even at 82, Keith Richards remains culturally relevant and actively engaged with fans through social media. He regularly posts on Instagram, sharing memories, photos, and videos that connect him with new generations of fans.

On his 82nd birthday in December 2025, he shared a tribute to late saxophone player Bobby Keys, showing his continued connection to musical history and fallen friends.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Keith Richards age of 82 years in 2026 represents more than just a number—it symbolizes over six decades of revolutionary influence on rock and roll music.

From his humble beginnings in Dartford, Kent, to becoming one of the world’s most recognizable and influential guitarists, Richards has lived a life that seems almost impossible in its scope and impact. His $600 million net worth reflects not just financial success but the enduring value of his artistic contributions to popular culture.

What makes Richards’ story particularly compelling is how he has evolved from the wild, drug-fueled rock star of the 1960s and 1970s into a respected elder statesman of rock, devoted family man, and still-active creative force.

His 43-year marriage to Patti Hansen demonstrates stability and commitment that contradicts his rebellious image, while his close relationships with his five children and grandchildren show the importance he places on family despite decades of touring and recording.