James Hetfield and Francesca Tomasi’s divorce in 2022 surprised many, as the couple seemed to be unbreakable after 25 years of marriage filled with struggles. The Metallica frontman himself was open about Tomasi’s love and support for him in various interviews through the decades.
Hetfield Was Devoted To His Family
Hetfield tied the knot with Francesca Tomasi in 1997 after knowing her as Metallica’s costume designer. The couple built a family together, raising three children, Cali Tee, Castor Virgil, and Marcella Francesca in Vail, Colorado, where Tomasi grew up.
The singer greatly valued his family life during those years and decided to get help for his mental health struggles thanks to that. He revealed this in an interview with the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, saying (per Metal Shout), “Fear was a big motivator in that for me. Losing my family scared me so much, that was the bottom I hit, that my family is going to go away because of the behaviors that I brought home from the road.”
The Metallica vocalist repeatedly shared his wife’s support to him in controlling his anger issues and battle with alcohol through the years. During the same interview, Hetfield especially credited getting kicked out of the house by his wife as a factor in his decision to get help. “I would love to thank my wife, Francesca, for saving my life. Many times,” he added.
The Divorce’s Effect On The Singer
Still, their marriage eventually came to an end. TMZ reported in August 2022 that Hetfield filed for divorce earlier that year. Around the same time, Hetfield had a couple of emotional moments on stage about mental health.
He talked to the audience during Metallica’s performance at the Boston Music Festival about the matter, Rock Celebrities reported. The singer offered love and support to those struggling with mental health issues like himself in an emotional speech, which many believed resulted from the hard process of then-ongoing divorce.
A Brand-New Relationship
Hetfield and Tomasi’s marriage ended on good terms, though, according to TMZ. The two decided to remain in touch for their children despite breaking up.
A couple of years later, the Metallica frontman sailed into a new relationship with Adriana Gillett. The new couple made their first public appearance at the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize dinner earlier this year after leaked photos together went viral online.
Latest update on their relationship came in October when Gillett posted a photo from their holiday in Iron Mountain Hot Springs on Instagram with the love note, “Joy of my life. He makes me the happiest gal alive.”
