Rod Stewart struck gold when he met and married Penny Lancaster.
The statuesque 6ft 1in photographer has not only given him a happy home life and two young sons, she has made sure all his kids and ex-wives are more than welcome in their lives.
I met up with her this week and she told me she was planning a big family Christmas in their home in Los Angeles and all the children would be there.
As well as Penny’s sons, Alastair and Aiden, Rod has a daughter Sarah from when he was very young. There is Kimberley and Sean from first wife, Alana Hamilton, and daughter Ruby with Kelly Emberg.
He also has two boys with his second wife, Rachel Hunter. So it will be pretty crowded around that Christmas tree, but that’s the way Penny likes it.
I saw her in the very posh surroundings of Clarence House where we were meeting Prince Charles for a cup of tea and a chat about the “Millie” awards that honour members of our armed forces.
Both Penny and I were judges and the Prince is a big supporter of the awards as well as the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Penny and I spent most of the time talking about football. Rod is a fanatical Celtic supporter and took Alastair to the Europa League game against Red Bull Salzburg at the end of last month.
Rod almost burst with pride as eight-year-old Alistair was a mascot at the game, and Penny told me that when he is away on tour she often has to put the radio on and play it down the phone to Rod so he can listen to the football commentary and results.
We will be on opposite sides in a couple of weeks when Dundee United take on Celtic at Tannadice.
Penny is a delightful woman who has a huge heart and just wants her husband and sons to be happy.
There aren’t many wives who would be so generous about her husband’s ex-partners and children, but she has ensured that a potentially tricky and awkward situation has turned into something relaxed and easy.
Everyone in the extended family knows they are welcome any time and she really has created something very special.
She is also completely unaware of just how gorgeous she is and, unlike most blonde Californian wives, hasn’t gone down the road of Botox, fillers and plastic surgery.
She’s a woman’s woman and great company and after Christmas she will start to plan Rod’s 70th birthday celebrations.
Not only will it be a very special occasion, but all of the family will be invited and made to feel very welcome. Rod is an extremely lucky man.
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