Introduction
Keith Richards wife is Patti Hansen, an American model and actress born on March 17, 1956, in New York City, United States.
Keith Richards is the legendary English guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of The Rolling Stones, one of the most influential rock bands in music history. Known for his distinctive guitar style and decades-long career, Richards has also become known for his enduring relationship with Hansen.
Patti Hansen built her own career in fashion long before becoming the wife of a rock icon. Discovered as a teenager, she went on to work with major magazines and fashion brands. Richards and Hansen first met in 1979 and married four years later in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
This article explores Patti Hansen’s early life, modeling career, relationship with Richards, wedding, children, family life, social media presence, and other key facts.
Who Is Patti Hansen?
Patti Hansen, whose birth name is generally reported as Patricia Alvine Hansen, is an American model and actress born March 17, 1956, in New York City. She grew up in Tottenville on Staten Island and was the youngest of six children, with Norwegian ancestry.
Hansen entered the modeling world while she was still a teenager. Photographer Peter Gert discovered her when she was about 14, and she was subsequently signed by Wilhelmina Models founder Wilhelmina Cooper. That early opportunity helped launch a career that eventually took her onto the pages and covers of leading fashion publications.
For education, Hansen attended the Professional Children’s School in Manhattan but later left school to concentrate on modeling. Biographical sources also report that she graduated from Tottenville High School.
Her career developed during a major period in American fashion. Hansen became recognized for her distinctive look and worked with publications including Vogue, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar.
Although her marriage to Richards made her internationally recognizable, Hansen had already established herself professionally. Her modeling career remains an important part of her identity beyond being associated with The Rolling Stones guitarist.
Patti Hansen’s Career & Professional Life
Patti Hansen’s professional career began when she was a teenager and quickly developed into a successful modeling career. After being discovered in Staten Island, she moved into the New York fashion scene and worked with Wilhelmina Models.
During the height of her modeling career, Hansen appeared in major fashion publications and became one of the recognizable models of her generation. Her work included appearances in American Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Seventeen, and Harper’s Bazaar.
She also appeared in advertising campaigns and became associated with major names in the fashion industry. One notable achievement was her appearance on a Calvin Klein billboard in Times Square, an indication of her visibility within the fashion world.
Hansen later became less focused on the high-profile modeling circuit while continuing to make occasional public appearances. She has also participated in projects celebrating her modeling career and family.
Her financial position is not officially documented through a reliable public financial statement. Online estimates of Patti Hansen’s net worth vary widely and should therefore be treated cautiously. There is no authoritative figure that can be confirmed.
Her lasting professional achievement is her successful transition from teenage discovery to established fashion model, followed by a long public life connected to fashion, entertainment, and the Richards family.
How Did Keith Richards and Patti Hansen Meet?
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen first met in 1979 in New York. Their meeting has become one of the better-known stories surrounding the Rolling Stones guitarist’s personal life. Vogue reported that they initially encountered each other while Hansen was celebrating her 23rd birthday.
According to Hansen’s recollection, she was out celebrating with friends when Richards appeared. The encounter was brief, but Richards reportedly noticed her immediately. Their relationship did not become serious that exact night, however.
Several months later, Hansen was invited to a birthday gathering for Richards. She had been working with Jerry Hall at Richard Avedon’s studio and accepted the invitation. The couple met again at the Roxy roller rink, and Hansen later described that second encounter as the moment their relationship really began.
Vanity Fair likewise described their first meeting in 1979 and quoted Richards recalling an immediate connection between them. Richards later characterized life as having a distinct “before Patti” and “after Patti” period.
Their relationship developed during a busy period in Richards’ life. The guitarist had recently ended his long relationship with Anita Pallenberg, with whom he had three children. Richards and Pallenberg separated in 1979, the same year he met Hansen.
Richards and Hansen continued dating for several years before deciding to marry. Their relationship progressed from a chance meeting in New York’s nightlife scene to one of rock music’s longest-lasting marriages.
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen Marriage & Wedding Details
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen married on December 18, 1983, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The date was particularly memorable because it was also Richards’ 40th birthday.
The wedding took place at the Finisterra Hotel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. According to contemporary reporting, the ceremony was a traditional Mexican wedding conducted by civil registrar Mercedes Sesena Chong. The couple married in the hotel’s Whale Watcher’s Bar.
Mick Jagger served as Richards’ best man, adding an unmistakable Rolling Stones connection to the occasion. After the ceremony, Richards reportedly called for music, fittingly reflecting the atmosphere surrounding the rock star’s birthday and wedding celebration.
Their marriage has lasted for more than four decades. The couple has generally maintained a relatively private family life despite Richards’ enormous fame.
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen Children & Family Life
Keith Richards and Patti Hansen have two daughters: Theodora Dupree Richards and Alexandra Nicole Richards. Theodora was born on March 18, 1985, while Alexandra was born on July 28, 1986. Both were born in New York City.
Theodora followed her mother’s path into modeling and has also worked in media. Alexandra has built a career involving modeling, art, and DJ work.
Hansen has spoken about raising her daughters and the family’s earlier lifestyle. Vogue reported that she and Richards lived in places including Antigua and Jamaica during the girls’ early years before eventually settling into life in Connecticut when schooling became a priority.
The couple’s family also extends into the next generation. Richards has seven grandchildren, according to biographical sources.
Despite living in the public eye, Hansen and Richards have generally avoided turning every aspect of their family life into entertainment. Their long marriage has remained a notable example of stability within the often unpredictable world of rock music.
Patti Hansen on Social Media
Patti Hansen has an Instagram presence under the handle @pattihansen. Public Instagram-tracking information has previously listed the account with tens of thousands of followers, although follower numbers change regularly and third-party tracking figures can become outdated.
Her social-media presence is more focused on personal and fashion-related material than on maintaining a constant celebrity-news profile. Her public image continues to reflect her background in modeling, family connections, fashion, and life with Keith Richards.
Because follower counts can change daily, a precise number should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent statistic.
Quick Facts About Patti Hansen
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patricia Alvine Hansen |
| Date of Birth | March 17, 1956 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Model and actress |
| Married to | Keith Richards |
| Marriage Year | 1983 |
| Children | Theodora Richards and Alexandra Richards |
| Net Worth | Not officially verified |
Frequently Asked Questions About Keith Richards Wife
Q: What is Keith Richards’ wife name?
A: Keith Richards’ wife is Patti Hansen, an American model and actress. They met in 1979 and married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 1983.
Q: How old is Patti Hansen?
A: Patti Hansen was born on March 17, 1956. She is 70 years old as of 2026.
Q: What does Patti Hansen do for a living?
A: Patti Hansen is a former professional model and actress who worked with major fashion publications and agencies.
Q: When did Keith Richards and Patti Hansen get married?
A: Keith Richards and Patti Hansen married on December 18, 1983, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The wedding was held on Richards’ 40th birthday.
Q: How many kids do Keith Richards and Patti Hansen have?
A: Keith Richards and Patti Hansen have two daughters, Theodora Dupree Richards and Alexandra Nicole Richards.
Conclusion
Patti Hansen is much more than Keith Richards wife. Born in New York City in 1956, she built a successful modeling career after being discovered as a teenager and became a familiar face in major fashion publications. Her relationship with Richards began in 1979, and the couple married in Cabo San Lucas in 1983. They later welcomed two daughters, Theodora and Alexandra, who also developed careers connected to fashion and entertainment.
After more than four decades together, Keith Richards and Patti Hansen remain one of rock music’s enduring couples, balancing family life with their remarkable public careers.
