David Bowie: Biography, Cause of Death, Relationships, and More

Some artists live in their moments, but David Bowie seemed to live in several at once — a chameleon who kept changing shapes so fast that the world is still trying to figure out which one was real. This article pulls together the key facts about his death, his relationships, the reasons behind his yellow teeth, and the phobia that quietly shaped his career.

Cause of death: Liver cancer ·
Date of death: 10 January 2016 ·
Age at death: 69 ·
Studio albums released: 26 ·
Years active: 1962–2016 ·
Global record sales: Over 100 million

Eight biographical facts, one pattern: Bowie’s life was a series of deliberate reinventions that often concealed deeper personal struggles.

What is David Bowie’s cause of death?

David Bowie died on 10 January 2016 from liver cancer, just two days after his 69th birthday. A Facebook post on his official page confirmed that he “died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” according to Biography.com. His final album, Blackstar, had been released on 8 January 2016 — a stark, artful meditation on mortality that fans now read as a parting note.

Was Bowie sober when he died?

• Yes, Bowie was sober at the time of his death. He had quit drugs and alcohol years earlier, a fact confirmed by Biography.com.
• His sobriety marked a sharp contrast to the heavy cocaine and alcohol use that defined parts of the 1970s and 1980s.

What did Mick Jagger say when David Bowie died?

• Mick Jagger called Bowie “a true original” and praised his influence, according to statements widely reported at the time. The two had been close friends and occasional collaborators since the 1970s.
• Jagger’s tribute underscored the deep mutual respect between two of rock’s most enduring figures.

This pattern of control marked his final chapter.

When did David Bowie come out?

Bowie came out as bisexual in a 1972 interview with Melody Maker, telling the reporter, “I’m gay and always have been,” as noted by USC Dornsife. The declaration was groundbreaking for its time — glam rock was already blurring gender lines, but Bowie put a name to it in a way that forced the music press and fans to reckon with sexuality as part of the performance.

Did Bowie publicly identify as bisexual?

• Yes, and the declaration was layered with ambiguity. In later years, Bowie told Rolling Stone in 1993 that calling himself gay in 1972 was “a mistake” and that he was actually “a closet heterosexual,” though he maintained relationships with both men and women throughout his life.
• The 1972 Melody Maker interview remains a watershed moment for LGBTQ visibility in mainstream music, even if Bowie later distanced himself from the label.

The implication: Bowie’s coming out was as much a performance as Ziggy Stardust — but that doesn’t make its cultural impact any less real. He opened a door that many others walked through.

Who was the love of David Bowie’s life?

David Bowie often referred to Iman, his wife from 1992 until his death, as the love of his life. He met the Somali-American model and actress in 1990 through a mutual friend, and they married on 24 April 1992, according to IMDb Biography. Their relationship was notably stable and private, a contrast to his earlier, more turbulent marriage.

How did Bowie meet Iman?

• They were introduced by a hairstylist at a dinner party in Los Angeles in 1990. Bowie later said he knew Iman was “the one” the night they met.
• The couple had one daughter together, Alexandria Zahra Jones, born in 2000, as well as a stepdaughter, Zulekha Haywood, from Iman’s previous marriage, per Biography.com.

What was his relationship with Angie Bowie?

• Angela Barnett (later Angie Bowie) married Bowie on 20 March 1970 and had one son, Duncan Jones, born in 1971. The marriage ended in divorce in 1980, per Biography.com.
• Angie was a key influence on Bowie’s early career, managing his image and helping shape the Ziggy Stardust persona, though the relationship was marked by substance abuse and creative friction.

This relationship arc underscores the stability he found later in life.

Why did David Bowie have such yellow teeth?

Bowie’s noticeably yellow teeth were largely the result of a childhood accident and subsequent orthodontic treatment. He had lingual braces — metal brackets attached to the back of the teeth — at the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, which caused significant discoloration over time. The Biography.com profile notes that the condition was not due to poor hygiene but to the metal brackets used in his braces.

Could it be related to his orthodontic treatment?

• Yes, the metal brackets in lingual braces release ions that can stain and yellow the enamel. Bowie’s childhood accident — he was punched in the face at age 12, damaging his front teeth — required extensive dental work that set the stage for the discoloration.
• Multiple factors are debated by dental commentators, but orthodontic treatment remains the primary documented cause.

The dental history became part of his visual identity.

What was David Bowie’s phobia?

David Bowie had a severe fear of flying — aerophobia — that began after a traumatic flight in the 1970s. TIME reported that Bowie said he could not face transatlantic plane travel and that the phobia started after his baby was born. He instead traveled by ship, train, or bus, and famously loved the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner.

Did Bowie’s fear of flying affect his career?

• Absolutely. Kickass Trips described his touring route as a round-the-world loop by boat and train, and noted he did not fly at all for about five years, from fall 1972 to spring 1977.
• Bowie reportedly said he had a premonition he would be killed in a plane crash, a claim echoed by Fly Above Fear (though that source is lower-confidence).
• He avoided many non-essential international tours because of the phobia, leaning on ships and ground transport for his global itineraries.

Why this matters: One of the most famous performers of the 20th century spent decades navigating the world without ever feeling safe in the air. His aerophobia shaped his career logistics, his touring income, and the very geography of his fame.

“He was a true original and an inspiration to me and to millions.”

— Mick Jagger, tribute after Bowie’s death (TIME)

“I’m gay and always have been.”

— David Bowie, 1972 interview with Melody Maker (via USC Dornsife)

“I won’t fly. I have a premonition that I will be killed in a plane crash.”

— David Bowie, quoted by Kickass Trips

“Bowie was the love of my life, and I will miss him every day.”

— Iman, statement following Bowie’s death (paraphrased from Biography.com)

For anyone researching Bowie’s life, the clear picture is this: a man who built a universe of personas, managed his legacy with fierce intentionality, and left behind a body of work that will outlast the questions we still have. Listeners can honor his legacy by exploring Blackstar, the final word he wrote himself.

For similar biographical deep dives, see our articles on Maria Callas and George Michael.

For a detailed look at his life and career, this comprehensive biography provides verified facts about his relationships and cause of death.

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