David Bowie's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

David Bowie in 1987.Photo:Patrick Riviere/Getty

Patrick Riviere/Getty

David Bowiewill forever remain one of music’s greatest.The English singer-songwriter is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and in his five-decade career, he put out 26 studio albums, won fourGrammy Awardsand was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Often described as the “chameleon of rock,” Bowie easily slipped into and out of different musical genres and personas.On Jan. 10, 2016, two days after he released his albumBlackstar, Bowie died in New York at age 69 following an 18-month battle with liver cancer. His longtime producer Tony Visconti wrote in a loving tribute that Bowie “did what he always wanted to do.““He wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of art,” Visconti continued. “He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.“See the rock star’s life in photos, from his colorful alter egos to his loving marriage to supermodelIman.

David Bowiewill forever remain one of music’s greatest.

The English singer-songwriter is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and in his five-decade career, he put out 26 studio albums, won fourGrammy Awardsand was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Often described as the “chameleon of rock,” Bowie easily slipped into and out of different musical genres and personas.

On Jan. 10, 2016, two days after he released his albumBlackstar, Bowie died in New York at age 69 following an 18-month battle with liver cancer. His longtime producer Tony Visconti wrote in a loving tribute that Bowie “did what he always wanted to do.”

“He wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life – a work of art,” Visconti continued. “He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us.”

See the rock star’s life in photos, from his colorful alter egos to his loving marriage to supermodelIman.

01of 25David Bowie’s Early YearsDavid Bowie in 1960.Dezo Hoffmann/REX/ShutterstockDavid Bowie was frequently referred to as a chameleon. Before arriving at his glammed-out sci-fi look, he flirted with beatnik and hippie imagery.

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David Bowie’s Early Years

David Bowie in 1960.Dezo Hoffmann/REX/Shutterstock

David Bowie was frequently referred to as a chameleon. Before arriving at his glammed-out sci-fi look, he flirted with beatnik and hippie imagery.

02of 25David Bowie as Davie JonesBowie in 1965.MirrorpixBowie originally struck out for fame under the name “Davie Jones.” His son, Duncan, a movie director, still uses the original family surname.

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David Bowie as Davie Jones

Bowie in 1965.Mirrorpix

Bowie originally struck out for fame under the name “Davie Jones.” His son, Duncan, a movie director, still uses the original family surname.

03of 25David Bowie’s Early StyleBowie in 1966.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBowie’s style was considerably more conservative when he was first starting out as a musician.

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David Bowie’s Early Style

Bowie in 1966.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Bowie’s style was considerably more conservative when he was first starting out as a musician.

04of 25David Bowie’s Early BandBowie, Hermione Farthingale and John Hutchinson in 1969.Ray Stevenson/REX/ShutterstockBowie briefly led a group called Feathers with his then-girlfriend, Hermione Farthingale and John Hutchinson in London the late ’60s.

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David Bowie’s Early Band

Bowie, Hermione Farthingale and John Hutchinson in 1969.Ray Stevenson/REX/Shutterstock

Bowie briefly led a group called Feathers with his then-girlfriend, Hermione Farthingale and John Hutchinson in London the late ’60s.

05of 25David Bowie’s Musical TalentsBowie in 1962.London Features/UPPA/ZUMAPRESS.comThe musician, pictured here in 1962, played saxophone in addition to keyboards and guitar. His childhood saxophone teacher, Ronnie Ross, plays the outgoing solo in Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.”

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David Bowie’s Musical Talents

Bowie in 1962.London Features/UPPA/ZUMAPRESS.com

The musician, pictured here in 1962, played saxophone in addition to keyboards and guitar. His childhood saxophone teacher, Ronnie Ross, plays the outgoing solo in Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.”

06of 25David Bowie’s EyesI.T.N./REX/ShutterstockBowie’s left pupil was left permanently dilated aftera 1962 fight with childhood friend George Underwoodover — what else? — a girl. Supposedly, the singer thanked Underwood for the injury later, saying it gave him “a kind of mystique.”

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David Bowie’s Eyes

I.T.N./REX/Shutterstock

Bowie’s left pupil was left permanently dilated aftera 1962 fight with childhood friend George Underwoodover — what else? — a girl. Supposedly, the singer thanked Underwood for the injury later, saying it gave him “a kind of mystique.”

07of 25David Bowie’s Space OddityBowie in 1969.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesThis 1969 photo is from the promotional campaign for Bowie’s albumSpace Oddity. Other than the iconic single, not much else from the album is considered an indispensable part of Bowie’s oeuvre.

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David Bowie’s Space Oddity

Bowie in 1969.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

This 1969 photo is from the promotional campaign for Bowie’s albumSpace Oddity. Other than the iconic single, not much else from the album is considered an indispensable part of Bowie’s oeuvre.

08of 25David Bowie as a FatherBowie, Angela and Duncan.MirrorpixBowie had one son, Duncan (middle name Zowie), with his wife Angie, in 1971. The pair would divorce in 1980, and Duncan, going under his father’s original surname Jones, would later become a film director.

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David Bowie as a Father

Bowie, Angela and Duncan.Mirrorpix

Bowie had one son, Duncan (middle name Zowie), with his wife Angie, in 1971. The pair would divorce in 1980, and Duncan, going under his father’s original surname Jones, would later become a film director.

09of 25Ziggy Stardust EraDavid Bowie as Ziggy Stardust in 1973.Michael Ochs Archives/GettyThe artist increasingly flirted with androgyny throughout his career. He adopted an alien alter ego, androgynous and bisexual rock star Ziggy Stardust, for his 1972 album and the accompanying tour. Bowie sported a flaming red mullet, glamorous outfits and pale white makeup for the character, who became a lasting symbol of the 1970s.

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Ziggy Stardust Era

David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust in 1973.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The artist increasingly flirted with androgyny throughout his career. He adopted an alien alter ego, androgynous and bisexual rock star Ziggy Stardust, for his 1972 album and the accompanying tour. Bowie sported a flaming red mullet, glamorous outfits and pale white makeup for the character, who became a lasting symbol of the 1970s.

10of 25David Bowie and Wife AngieBowie and Angela Bowie in 1973.MirrorpixBowie wed his wife Angie (then Mary Angela Barnett) in 1970 – the couple was married for 10 years.

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David Bowie and Wife Angie

Bowie and Angela Bowie in 1973.Mirrorpix

Bowie wed his wife Angie (then Mary Angela Barnett) in 1970 – the couple was married for 10 years.

11of 25David Bowie and Masayoshi SukitaMasayoshi SukitaBowie’s collaboration with photographer Masayoshi Sukitayielded some of the most iconic images of his career.

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David Bowie and Masayoshi Sukita

Masayoshi Sukita

Bowie’s collaboration with photographer Masayoshi Sukitayielded some of the most iconic images of his career.

12of 25David Bowie’s ’70s StyleBowie in 1973.Ilpo Musto/Rex/REX USABowie’s early ’70s look remains one of his most beloved – in particular the lightning-bolt makeup look from the cover ofAladdin Sane.

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David Bowie’s ’70s Style

Bowie in 1973.Ilpo Musto/Rex/REX USA

Bowie’s early ’70s look remains one of his most beloved – in particular the lightning-bolt makeup look from the cover ofAladdin Sane.

13of 25David Bowie’s Massive Music SalesBowie in 1973.PA Wire via ZUMA PressBowie is believedto have sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 million records during the course of his career.

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David Bowie’s Massive Music Sales

Bowie in 1973.PA Wire via ZUMA Press

Bowie is believedto have sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 140 million records during the course of his career.

14of 25David Bowie’s Famous FriendsBowie, Yoko Ono and John Lennon in 1975.Alpha PressYoko Ono and John Lennon were close with the singer; the latter co-wrote Bowie’s hit “Fame.”

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David Bowie’s Famous Friends

Bowie, Yoko Ono and John Lennon in 1975.Alpha Press

Yoko Ono and John Lennon were close with the singer; the latter co-wrote Bowie’s hit “Fame.”

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David Bowie’s Heroes

Bowie in 1977.Masayoshi Sukita

16of 25David Bowie and Iggy PopIggy Pop and David Bowie in the early 1980s.RTN/MediaPunchBowie enjoyed fruitful collaborations with a number of other rock and roll luminaries, like Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.

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David Bowie and Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop and David Bowie in the early 1980s.RTN/MediaPunch

Bowie enjoyed fruitful collaborations with a number of other rock and roll luminaries, like Iggy Pop and Lou Reed.

17of 25David Bowie in the ‘80sBowie in 1987.MirrorpixBowie performing in 1987, touring behind the albumNever Let Me Down.

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David Bowie in the ’80s

Bowie in 1987.Mirrorpix

Bowie performing in 1987, touring behind the albumNever Let Me Down.

18of 25David Bowie and Tina TurnerTina Turner and David Bowie in 1989.Alpha PressTina Turner, one of his many collaborators, duetted with him on the 1984 song “Tonight.”

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David Bowie and Tina Turner

Tina Turner and David Bowie in 1989.Alpha Press

Tina Turner, one of his many collaborators, duetted with him on the 1984 song “Tonight.”

19of 25David Bowie Marries ImanBrian ArisBowie met supermodel Imanin 1990. The pair married two years later and remained together until his death in early 2016.

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David Bowie Marries Iman

Brian Aris

Bowie met supermodel Imanin 1990. The pair married two years later and remained together until his death in early 2016.

20of 25David Bowie in the ‘90sPhotoshot/Getty ImagesBowie continued to update his look to match his evolving musical aesthetic throughout the ’90s.

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David Bowie in the ’90s

Photoshot/Getty Images

Bowie continued to update his look to match his evolving musical aesthetic throughout the ’90s.

21of 25David Bowie in the ‘00sBowie in 2000.MirrorpixBowie kept up an active recording schedule through the late ’90s and early ’00s, releasing albums in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003.

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David Bowie in the ’00s

Bowie in 2000.Mirrorpix

Bowie kept up an active recording schedule through the late ’90s and early ’00s, releasing albums in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003.

22of 25David Bowie’s Health ConcernsJo Hale/Getty ImagesHe slowed down his performance schedule in the early ’00s, however, afteran on-stage heart attack in 2004.

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David Bowie’s Health Concerns

Jo Hale/Getty Images

He slowed down his performance schedule in the early ’00s, however, afteran on-stage heart attack in 2004.

23of 25David Bowie and ImanBowie and Iman in 2009.Kevin Mazur/WireImageBowie and Iman were seen out and about together, even as the singer’s recorded output and performance schedule dwindled.

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David Bowie and Iman

Bowie and Iman in 2009.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Bowie and Iman were seen out and about together, even as the singer’s recorded output and performance schedule dwindled.

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David Bowie’s Final Albums

Nicolas Khayat/ABACA

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David Bowie Dies

David Bowie’s last public appearance in December 2015.Henry McGee/MediaPunch

Henry McGee/MediaPunch

On Jan. 10, 2016, the legendary rock stardied at age 69in New York.

source: people.com