In an exclusive interview ahead of his upcoming Long '90s UK tour, music icon Robbie Williams has candidly discussed the significant personal sacrifices his demanding career entails, particularly regarding his role as a father.
The Personal Price of Professional Success
Despite recently achieving his 16th number one album with BRITPOP, breaking The Beatles' long-standing record, Williams admits this professional milestone comes with considerable personal cost. The 51-year-old singer is preparing to launch his UK tour next month, following a series of European dates, but acknowledges that life on the road has meant missing precious moments with his four children: Teddy, Charlton, Colette, and Beau.
"This tour, in particular, I've been an absent parent," Williams reflects openly about the emotional toll of his touring schedule. "There's no way around it when you're travelling constantly - you miss birthdays, school events, and just the everyday moments that matter most."
Family Relocation for Wellbeing
The disruption to family life extends beyond touring schedules. Last year, Williams and his wife Ayda, 46, made the significant decision to relocate their family to Miami after several years living in the UK. The singer explains this move was motivated by essential self-care needs.
"I spent 24 years in California and I'm somebody that needs sun for my self-care and my mental health," Williams reveals. "I've just spent five years back in Europe and I can't do it because I know how it feels with the sun on my back. And I know that I feel better."
He adds that America offers an additional benefit he values: "For me there's anonymity in America that I don't get elsewhere, which helps with maintaining some normalcy for our family."
The Foundation of Marriage and Family
One constant amidst these changes has been Williams' stable marriage to Ayda, whom he married in 2010. The singer pays tribute to his wife in Pretty Face, the hit single from his latest album, and speaks passionately about how marriage has transformed him.
"When I sing it, I think about my wife. And I'm a big fan of marriage," says Williams, who comes from what he describes as a broken home. "I understand why people do it now. I didn't understand before."
He continues: "I've seen so many people in relationships that just argue all the time. I just didn't see the point. But marriage has actually made me the man that I am. So, you know, the lyrics in that song are true. She's turned a boy into a man."
Health and Fitness Journey
Meanwhile, fans have been admiring Williams' noticeably improved physique, despite his admission that he's never been enthusiastic about gym workouts. The singer explains his evolved approach to fitness and wellbeing.
"I've never been a workout guy," Williams admits. "I've managed to put together a schedule that I can keep up with. Whereas before, I'd be doing workouts based on hating myself."
He describes a healthier mindset: "And now I do workouts based on staying alive. I've always been battling one way or another with my weight. But now I seem to be in a good place physically and mentally."
As Williams prepares to embark on his UK tour, his reflections reveal an artist balancing professional demands with personal priorities, seeking sunlight for mental health, stability in marriage, and a sustainable approach to physical wellbeing while navigating the challenges of parenting from the road.
