Deep Purple and Rainbow’s Ritchie Blackmore has had quite the romantic history, with multiple marriages and relationships that often cut cross with his rock star lifestyle. His third wife, Amy Rothman, was one of the women who shared part of this fierce journey. Though their marriage didn’t last long, their time together was marked by the highs and lows of Blackmore’s career in the early ’80s.
Who Is Amy Rothman?
Amy Rothman was part of Blackmore’s life during a period that saw both his personal life and career going through significant changes like rising tensions in Rainbow and style shifts. Rothman was reportedly introduced to Blackmore in 1978, shortly after his affair with another woman. By 1981, they were married, although the union didn’t last long.
Blackmore and Rothman’s marriage lasted for just two years, from 1981 to 1983, with their divorce finalized in 1984. This period coincided with the guitarist’s time in the U.S., where he had moved for tax reasons, and it was during this time that he began a relationship with another woman, Tammi Williams, soon after his split from Rothman.
Rumors About The Divorce And Rothman’s Life Today
Though not much is known about the specifics of their relationship, it’s rumored that Blackmore’s explosive personality and the demands of his career contributed to the breakup. The guitarist’s often difficult personality and artistic clashes within his bands are well documented, and it’s reasonable to assume that these traits carried over into his personal life.
Known primarily for being the ex-wife of Blackmore, not much else is publicly known about Rothman, as she hasn’t sought the same spotlight as some of Ritchie’s other partners, like Candice Night. Still, her role in Blackmore’s life is notable, as it came at a time when the guitarist was transitioning into a new phase of his career.
Blackmore’s Other Relationships
While Rothman may have been a significant part of Blackmore’s life during the early ’80s, she wasn’t the only one. Before she came into the picture, the guitarist had already been married twice. His first marriage to Margit Volkmar, a German woman, lasted from 1964 to 1969, with whom he had a son, Jürgen. His second marriage to Bärbel Hardie, also from Germany, was even shorter, from 1969 to the early ’70s.
After his divorce from Rothman, Blackmore’s romantic life continued to be colorful. He famously began a long-term relationship with Candice Night, whom he met in 1991. Their relationship eventually led to marriage in 2008, and they have two children together. Candice has often spoken about how Blackmore’s presence has impacted her life, both personally and professionally, particularly in the world of music.
In addition to Candice, Blackmore had several other notable relationships, including a short-lived affair with Tammi Williams, whom he met in the mid-’80s. He also had an earlier relationship with opera singer Shoshana Feinstein in the ’70s.
