Phil Collins’ wife was Orianne Cevey, a Swiss-born jewelry designer from Nyon, Switzerland, who is now in her early 50s. The two married in 1999 and divorced in 2008, and Collins is not currently married.
Phil Collins is the English singer, drummer and songwriter behind “In the Air Tonight,” “Against All Odds” and “Sussudio,” and a longtime member of Genesis. Orianne was his third wife, and their story is one of the most talked-about in music: a festival meeting, a record divorce settlement, a surprise reunion and a bitter legal fight over a Miami mansion.
If you searched for Phil Collins’ wife, this guide covers who Orianne Cevey is, her career, how they met, their marriage, their sons, and where things stand today. It also covers the wives who came before her and answers the questions people ask most.
Who Is Phil Collins’ Wife, Orianne Cevey?
Orianne Cevey was born in Nyon, Switzerland, and is of Swiss and Thai descent. Her exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed. Press reports over the years have put her in her early 50s today.
Little is publicly documented about her childhood or schooling, so we will not guess. What is well documented is how her life changed in 1994, when she was working near Lake Geneva and met a world-famous musician. She first met Collins at the Paléo open-air music festival in Nyon, where she was officially his interpreter.
She grew up in a French-speaking part of Switzerland, which explains why she was asked to translate for an English-speaking star. Collins later lived in Switzerland for many years, and the couple raised their children there.
Orianne later became known for more than her marriage. She has spoken openly about a health crisis that left her partially paralyzed and changed her life’s direction. We cover that below.
Orianne Cevey’s Career and Professional Life
Orianne is usually described as a Swiss-born jewelry designer. Before that, she worked as an interpreter, the job that brought her into Collins’ orbit.
Her professional life took a new turn after a medical emergency. She was left partially paralyzed by Brown-Séquard syndrome, a spinal disorder, following an operation in 2014. Afterward she founded the Never Give Up Foundation, which grew out of that experience.
In 2021 she launched a collection called OC Wonders. The auction items reportedly included some of Collins’ most iconic instruments and collectibles, alongside her own prized possessions.
Reports describe her as a designer, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Her personal net worth has not been reliably reported. The figure most people associate with her is her divorce settlement, which we cover below.
How Did Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey Meet?
The couple met in 1994 in Nyon, Switzerland. She was 35 years younger than…
Correction on that point: the settlement report listed Collins at 57 and Cevey at 35 in 2008, so the gap is about 22 years. Another report calls her more than 20 years younger than Collins.
At the time, Collins was still married to his second wife, Jill Tavelman. Their marriage ended in 1996. Collins settled that divorce for SFr35 million. Collins has since admitted he regrets how that marriage ended.
Orianne and Phil then built a life together. They married in Switzerland in 1999. The family settled in a villa above Lake Geneva.
Public records do not describe a formal engagement story, so we will not invent one. The facts that matter are the 1994 meeting, the years of building a relationship, and the 1999 wedding.
Marriage, Divorce and Reunion
Few details about the 1999 wedding were made public beyond the year and the country. What happened next is far better documented.
The couple separated in 2006 after six years of marriage. The divorce was finalized in 2008. Collins paid about SFr51 million, roughly $46 million, thought to be the largest divorce settlement involving a British celebrity at the time.
Then came a twist. In 2016, Collins told Billboard that he had reunited with Orianne, eight years after the settlement, and that nobody had noticed. He also said he had bought a house in Miami where she and their children lived. At the time, Orianne said they were determined to marry a second time one day.
The reunion did not last. In 2020, Thomas Bates married Orianne in August. Collins then went to court. His lawyers described an “armed occupation” of his $33 million Florida home. Later headlines reported the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge, though you should check the latest coverage for the full legal outcome.
Children and Family Life
Phil and Orianne have two sons, Nicholas and Matthew.
Nicholas, known as Nic, followed his father into drumming. In July 2026, the 25-year-old announced his engagement to Isabella Cristina Serralles, his girlfriend of almost ten years. He has also toured with Genesis. Matthew has kept a lower profile.
Orianne has another son, Andrea, from her marriage to financier Charles Fouad Mejjati. They divorced in 2017 after ten years of marriage.
Collins has three older children from earlier relationships: Joely, Simon and Lily Collins. Lily is the actress known for Emily in Paris. Collins has said in the past that family life suffered because of his touring schedule, and he has publicly acknowledged his struggles with alcohol.
The family has generally tried to keep their private lives out of the spotlight, though the lawsuit made that difficult for a time.
Orianne Cevey on Social Media
Orianne is active on Instagram, where she shares family moments, design work and her foundation’s mission. She has posted public messages for Collins, including a Father’s Day tribute, even after their split.
Follower counts change constantly and we could not verify a current number, so check her profile for the latest figures. Her posts mix personal updates with her philanthropic and design interests.
Phil Collins’ Wife: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Orianne Cevey (also reported as Orianne Collins, Orianne Bates) |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly confirmed (early 1970s per press ages) |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Profession | Jewelry designer, philanthropist |
| Married to Phil Collins | 1999 (separated 2006, divorced 2008) |
| Later spouses | Charles Fouad Mejjati (divorced 2017), Thomas Bates (married 2020) |
| Children with Collins | Nicholas and Matthew |
| Net Worth | Not reliably reported; divorce settlement about $46 million |
Phil Collins’ Three Wives at a Glance
Orianne was not the only wife. Collins was married to Andrea Bertorelli from 1975 to 1980, and to Jill Tavelman from 1984 to 1996. Then came Orianne. In an August 2026 interview, Collins described his personal life as a minefield and said he hopes to fall in love again.
FAQ: Phil Collins’ Wife
Q: What is Phil Collins’ wife’s name?
A: Phil Collins is not currently married. His most recent wife was Orianne Cevey, whom he married in 1999 and divorced in 2008.
Q: How old is Orianne Cevey?
A: Her exact birth date is not publicly confirmed. Press reports have put her in her early 50s.
Q: What does Orianne Cevey do for a living?
A: She is a Swiss-born jewelry designer and philanthropist who founded the Never Give Up Foundation.
Q: When did Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey get married?
A: They married in Switzerland in 1999, separated in 2006 and divorced in 2008.
Q: How many kids do Phil Collins and Orianne Cevey have?
A: They have two sons, Nicholas and Matthew.
Conclusion
Phil Collins’ wife for nearly a decade was Orianne Cevey, a Swiss jewelry designer and philanthropist who met him as a festival interpreter in 1994. Their story includes a record settlement, a reunion and a very public falling-out. Through it all, they share two sons who have built lives and careers of their own. Whatever the past looks like, Orianne remains a central figure in the Collins family story, and the couple’s sons carry the best of that chapter forward.
