Robbie Robertson, the frontman of the classic rock group The Band, died at the age of 80 in Los Angeles on August 9.
His manager of 34 years Jared Levine released a statement to Variety revealing Robertson’s passing came at the end of a long illness. Sources informed TMZ that the musician succumbed to prostate cancer.
Jamie Royal, ‘Robbie’ Robertson is survived by his first wife, Dominique Bourgeois, and their children, as well as his second wife, Janet Zuccarini.
So, who is Janet Zuccarini? And what about his first wife and their children?
Read the answers below.
Dearly departed: Robbie Robertson, the frontman of the classic rock group The Band, died at the age of 80 in Los Angeles on August 9
Tragic: Robbie married Janet Zuccarini, (pictured in 2019), just months before he died following a long battle with prostate cancer
Who is Janet Zuccarini?
Janet Zuccarini is a restauranteur who is CEO and founder of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group.
She was inspired to enter the industry by her upbringing, with her father Giacomo opening the Sidewalk Caffe at Yonge and College in Toronto in 1954.
Janet married Robbie in March 2023, just months before he died, having got engaged the previous year.
The pair were together for over three years before their engagement, and Janet posted a tribute to her new husband after their wedding in which she said: ‘You were worth the wait.
‘You have a smile that lights up the world, and melts my heart.’
Who is Dominique Bourgeois?
However, Robbie also had a previous wife, Dominique Bourgeois, who he married 55 years earlier on March 24, 1968.
At that point, Robbie was 24, although Dominique’s age remains unknown.
From a much different background, Dominique was a Canadian journalist, who Robbie went on to credit with keeping him grounded while other members of his band lost themselves to drugs.
The Band released their debut album Music From Big Pink the same year that Robbie and Dominique married.
They initially split in 1977, before reemerging between 1983 and 1999.
Mystery: Robbie married is first wife Dominique Bourgeois in 1968. It is unknown when the couple split- (pictured in 2003)
The Band: Robbie credited his ex-wife with keeping him grounded while other members of his group (pictured) were lost to drugs. L-R: Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Robbie, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson
How long were Dominique Bourgeois and Robbie Robertson together?
The couple eventually separated, but this was never made public, or directly referenced.
However, in a 2021 interview of the guitarist by The Times, Bourgeois was referenced as his ‘ex-wife.’
The reason for their split, like the date, is also unknown.
The statement from the guitarist’s agent confirmed that the journalist was by her ex-husband’s side when he died, despite Robbie remarrying.
It also revealed that Dominique has a new partner called Nicholas.
Supported: Robbie had Dominique by his side when he died, as well as his second wife Janet Zuccarini, and his three children
How many children did Robbie Robertson have?
Robbie had three children who were all with him when he passed away.
He shared his children with his ex, Dominique, and they largely follow her lead regarding publicity, despite all following their father into the music industry to some degree.
One of their children is somewhat in the public eye, with their son Sebastian – born in 1974 – a children’s author and musician.
He featured on two of his father’s solo albums – playing drums on 1994’s Music For The Native Americans, and 2011’s How To Become Clairvoyant.
Sebastian’s two sisters are Delphine and Alexandra.
Alexandra reportedly works for Universal Music, while Delphine works as a musical artist behind film and TV soundtracks.
Double act: Robbie (pictured in 1991) was joined by his son Sebastian on two of his solo albums