Rod Stewart, known for his rock star fame, is also a devoted father. Over the years, he has had children from several relationships, including a daughter he was forced to give up for adoption when he was a teenager.
Rock legend Rod Stewart is famous for his distinctive raspy voice, timeless hits, and commanding stage presence. However, beyond his music career, he has also taken on another significant role — that of a devoted father.
Throughout the years, Rod Stewart has had eight children from five different relationships. His eldest child is a daughter he had at 17 and placed for adoption. However, years later, they unexpectedly reunited.
Kimberly Stewart, Rod’s second child and the first with ex-wife Alana Stewart, was born on August 21, 1979. Raised by her parents until their separation in 1984, Kimberly went on to carve out her own career in the spotlight. She became well-known in the fashion world, appearing on the covers of major magazines like Tatler, American Vogue, and Elle, establishing a strong presence in the industry.
In 2021, Kimberly Stewart ventured into entrepreneurship, launching her luxury organization company, The Realm by Kimberly Stewart. The idea came to her during quarantine when she became frustrated with the disarray in her father’s pantry and kitchen. “I couldn’t stand looking at the chaos, so I got to work,” she shared.
After posting the results of her work online, Kimberly Stewart was inundated with requests for her services. “That’s when the idea really took off, and I realized I needed to turn it into a professional closet organization business,” she explained.
Rod’s eldest son, Sean Stewart, was born on September 1, 1980. Like his father, Sean pursued a career in music but gained wider recognition for his appearance on the 2007 A&E reality series Sons of Hollywood. The show followed Sean and other young stars as they navigated the ups and downs of life in Hollywood. In addition to his music and television work, Sean also ventured into fashion with his streetwear brand, Dirty Weekend.
Before launching his unisex streetwear line, Dirty Weekend, Sean Stewart sought advice from his longtime friend, Scott Disick, the designer behind Talentless. “I always call him and ask for advice, and he always gives it to me. He’s really good at that kind of stuff,” Sean shared.
Rod’s fourth child, Ruby Stewart, was born on June 17, 1987, during his relationship with model Kelly Emberg. Ruby followed an entrepreneurial path of her own, founding BESO Shade, a clothing line that specializes in protective sportswear for women. According to her Instagram, Ruby serves as the founder and CEO of the brand, creating functional yet stylish options for active women.
Renee Stewart, Rod’s fifth child and eldest with New Zealand model Rachel Hunter, was born on June 1, 1992. Taking a different route from her famous father, Renee pursued a career in the arts, focusing on dance and dedicating herself to movement and expression. In addition to her dance career, Renee is passionate about wellness and shares her love for yoga and meditation as a teacher, according to her social media.
Rod’s sixth child, Liam McAlister Stewart, was born on September 5, 1994, during his marriage to Rachel Hunter. Growing up in California, Liam developed a passion for hockey, starting in high school and eventually playing for the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League.
Liam Stewart’s hockey career took him overseas, where he played in the Elite Ice Hockey League with teams such as the Coventry Blaze and Guildford Flames. He later moved to New Zealand to continue his professional career in the sport.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Liam Stewart recently celebrated a major life milestone by marrying his partner, Nicole Artukovich, in a beautiful ceremony in Croatia.
Alastair Wallace Stewart, Rod’s seventh child and first with model Penny Lancaster, was born in November 2005. Although he tends to stay out of the public eye, Alastair has demonstrated a strong passion for swimming, competing in and winning several races.
According to reports, Rod Stewart supported his son Alastair’s Olympic aspirations by planning to build a training pool at his U.K. mansion. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Alastair has also dabbled in modeling, following in his mother Penny Lancaster’s footsteps in front of the camera.
Aiden Patrick Stewart, Rod’s youngest child with Penny Lancaster, was born in February 2011. Despite his young age, Aiden has already faced some challenging moments. In December 2022, Rod shared that Aiden suffered a panic attack during a youth basketball game, which was initially mistaken for a heart attack. “He was going blue and was unconscious until he calmed down. It was scary, but it turned out to be a panic attack,” Rod revealed.
Rod’s first-born, Sarah Streeter, was born on November 6, 1963, when he was just 17 years old. At the time, Rod and his then-girlfriend, Susannah Boffey, made the difficult decision to place Sarah up for adoption.
Reflecting on his decision, Rod later admitted that he was “dead broke” at the time and simply unable to support a child. Sarah spent her early years in foster care before being adopted at age five by Gerald and Evelyn Thubron, who raised her as their own.
Sarah learned about Rod’s identity as her biological father when she turned 18, but it wasn’t until 2007, after both of her adoptive parents had passed away, that they finally reconnected. By that time, Sarah had faced significant challenges in her personal life, including a period of struggling with substance abuse, particularly in her early thirties.
Sarah later admitted that her grief over losing her mother led to a downward spiral, which eventually resulted in a battle with crack cocaine addiction. “Why I’m still here I don’t know,” she reflected, expressing regret for the pain her addiction caused her loved ones. Despite the struggles, Sarah emphasized the importance of sharing her story, saying, “But I’ve chosen to talk about it because I think it’s important to be honest and to show that even if you hit rock-bottom, you can get over it.”
Throughout her recovery journey, Rod was a constant source of support for Sarah. She confided in him early on, and Rod, who was familiar with the struggles his own children had faced with substance issues, expressed deep concern and compassion. Sarah revealed, “It’s not all new to him, of course. His eldest son, Sean, has had drug problems in the past, and Kimberly had issues with alcohol, although they’re all doing really well now.”
Sarah and Rod’s reunion came about unexpectedly. Longtime guitarist Jim Cregan recalled the moment when Sarah, eager to meet her biological father, showed up at a recording studio. Unsure if her claims were true, Rod sent Jim to investigate. Cregan quickly saw the resemblance, remarking that Sarah was a “dead ringer” for Rod, with her dimpled chin and distinct features. The two began meeting cautiously, and over time, Rod grew more comfortable, eventually signing cards and emails as “Dad.”
For Sarah, Rod’s gesture of signing cards and emails as “Dad” was initially strange, as she had always called her adoptive father “Dad.” However, over time, she grew more comfortable with it.
“[…] It has become much more relaxed and now he’s just Dad to me,” Sarah revealed. “You can’t get away from the fact that he’s Rod Stewart the star, but when we’re together, I put that at the back of my mind.”
Sarah added, “I’m not engaging with that person but with Rod the man — my dad. I feel like I am a genuine part of his extended family, which is wonderful.” Although she has met nearly all of her half-siblings and found them to be very friendly, Sarah acknowledged that their different backgrounds had created some distinctions between them.
Sarah described her sisters as “very glamorous and very beautifully turned out,” noting that she sometimes feels self-conscious around them due to their contrasting upbringings. Despite these differences, Sarah values her place within the Stewart family. She has had several family gatherings with Rod and Penny, whom she described as “lovely.” Reflecting on her journey, Sarah expressed deep appreciation for her evolving relationship with Rod, acknowledging how much it has meant to her.
In a 2013 interview, Rod Stewart opened up about fatherhood, expressing the joy he felt in watching his children, especially the younger ones, grow. He also shared that he and Sarah “[got] on really well with each other” and maintained regular contact, highlighting the positive relationship they had built.
Rod Stewart is a devoted father to his eight children. Despite giving his eldest daughter, Sarah, up for adoption, they have since built a close and meaningful bond, proving that family ties can endure and strengthen over time.
