LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY: Bruce Springsteen's recent on-stage fall in Amsterdam caused concern among fans, but the rock legend quickly bounced back and even made light of the incident with his signature wit. "Goodnight, everybody!" he playfully shouted after the tumble. While the fall brought Springsteen back into the spotlight, it has also reignited interest in his personal life, particularly his enduring marriage of over three decades to his doting wife, Patti Scialfa.
How they met
Their love story began in the early '80s when they crossed paths at a local bar, initially forming a strong friendship. Scialfa, a talented musician herself, joined the legendary E Street Band as a backup vocalist for their iconic 'Born in the U.S.A' Tour in 1984, bringing her captivating voice and magnetic presence to Springsteen's performances.
While their musical collaboration sparked remarkable chemistry, their romantic relationship took time to blossom. It wasn't until 1988, following Springsteen's separation from his first wife Julianne Phillips, that he and Scialfa recognized their deeper connection and embarked on their journey of love. In 1991, the couple made their commitment official, exchanging vows and entering into a lifelong partnership. Their union has stood the test of time, enduring for more than three decades.
They share three children together
The couple shares a deep bond and raised three children together. Their eldest son, Evan James, was born in 1990, followed by their daughter Jessica Rae in 1991. Their youngest son, Samuel Ryan, completed the family in 1994. Evan, following in his father's footsteps, has joined Bruce on stage several times, showcasing his musical talents. Meanwhile, Jessica has carved her own path as an accomplished Olympic equestrian. Sam, on the other hand, decided to serve his community as a firefighter in Jersey City, New Jersey, starting in 2020.
Both Springsteen and Scialfa have actively participated in their children's lives, engaging in activities like playing the guitar, writing music, and sharing breakfast moments together. In a significant milestone, Scialfa and Springsteen became grandparents for the first time in 2022 when Sam and his partner welcomed their daughter. The proud grandmother took to social media to share a heartwarming photo of Sam, his partner, and their bundle of joy, affectionately writing, "walking the baby. Lily Harper Springsteen."
Helping with her husband's mental health
In 2016, Bruce Springsteen publicly revealed that he had been dealing with bouts of depression in his 60s. He acknowledged that these periods could be challenging, affecting his behavior and creating difficulties at home. However, he credited Patti Scialfa as his primary source of support during those tough times.
"It sneaks up on you. I got to where I didn't want to get out of bed, you know?" he explained during a recent interview with Sunday Morning. "You're not behaving well at home and you're tough on everybody. Hopefully not the kids. I always try to hide it from the kids. But, you know, Patti really had to work with me through it. … Her strength and the love she had was very important."
Member of the E Street Band
Scialfa is not only an integral part of Springsteen's personal life but also a member of his renowned E Street Band. Joining the band in 1984, she was its sole female member at the time, contributing with her backing vocals, tambourine, and guitar skills. "I didn't know when we started rehearsing that he was going to give me a lot to do," she told People in 1988. "It happened slowly over the course of rehearsing. Bruce coaxed me and urged me to reach. He was very patient, very willing to teach. He had a lot of confidence in me."
While they perform together on stage, they have also managed to draw a clear line between their professional and personal lives. As Springsteen stated in a 2017 interview with Variety, when Scialfa is on stage with the E Street Band, she is a band member, but once they step off the stage, they revert to their roles as husband and wife.
Solo music career
Scialfa has also pursued a solo music career alongside her involvement in the E Street Band. She released her debut solo album, 'Rumble Doll,' in 1993, followed by '23rd Street Lullaby' in 2004 and 'Play It as It Lays' in 2007.
During her first solo tour, Bruce Springsteen made special guest appearances, showcasing their harmonious musical partnership. Their duet, 'Town Called Heartbreak,' was also performed during Springsteen's 'Magic Tour' in 2007. Additionally, Scialfa performed at the final show of the 'Vote for Change' Tour in 2004, leaving an indelible mark on the stage.
