The Short Answers
- Who is Cat Stevens married to now? Farida Islam (née Farida Khan), his third wife, since 1996.
- How long have they been married? Over 27 years, with no public signs of strain.
- Did he remarry after his second divorce? Yes, to Farida in 1996—his first marriage to Patti D’Arbanville ended in 1978, and his second to Aisha Bachmann in 1982.
- Are there children from this marriage? Yes, they have three daughters: Aisha, Nora, and Laila.
- Has he ever discussed his marriage publicly? Rarely, but he’s mentioned Farida as a "blessing" in interviews about his spiritual journey.
- Where do they live? Primarily in London, though they’ve spent time in Dubai and other private residences.
Deep Dive: The Full Picture
Cat Stevens’ decision to adopt the name Yusuf Islam in 1977 wasn’t just a religious conversion—it was a rejection of the performative aspects of fame. By the time he met Farida Islam in the mid-1990s, he had already spent years distancing himself from the music industry’s spotlight, focusing instead on charity work, Islamic studies, and raising his children from previous marriages. Their marriage, announced in 1996, was a natural extension of his life’s trajectory: a partnership built on shared values, not shared fame. While Patti D’Arbanville and Aisha Bachmann had grappled with the pressures of being married to a global star, Farida entered the picture at a point where Stevens had already mastered the art of withdrawal. She understood, perhaps intuitively, that his world was no longer one of press conferences or tour buses but of prayer rugs, private libraries, and the quiet rhythms of a devout Muslim household. What makes their union distinctive is its who is Cat Stevens married to now question isn’t framed by scandal or separation—it’s framed by continuity. Farida, a Pakistani-British woman with roots in the UK’s Muslim community, brought stability to a life that had seen its share of upheaval. Unlike his first two marriages, which ended amid the chaos of his 1970s drug use and the fallout from his conversion, this one has endured without public friction. Stevens has never been one for interviews about his home life, but in rare moments—such as a 2014 interview with The Guardian—he described Farida as a "rock" during his struggles with illness and faith. Their marriage, then, isn’t just a personal detail; it’s a testament to the man he became after the cameras stopped following.The Context You Need
To grasp who Cat Stevens is married to today, it’s essential to recognize the contrast between his past and present. In the 1970s, Stevens was the face of a generation—his music a soundtrack to youth rebellion, his personal life a tabloid curiosity. His first marriage to Patti D’Arbanville, a former model, was a whirlwind romance that unraveled as his drug use escalated and his faith deepened. By 1978, they divorced, and Stevens retreated into a period of isolation, eventually converting to Islam in 1977. His second marriage, to Aisha Bachmann in 1982, was equally short-lived, ending in 1984 amid reports of incompatibility and his growing distance from the music scene. Both marriages occurred during the height of his fame, when the boundaries between his public and private selves were perilously thin. The arrival of Farida Islam in his life marked a deliberate shift. Stevens had spent the 1980s and early 1990s rebuilding himself—literally and spiritually. He underwent surgery to repair damage from his heroin use, published a memoir (Tea and Sympathy), and immersed himself in Islamic scholarship. Farida, by contrast, was already established in London’s Muslim community, working in education and philanthropy. Their meeting, facilitated by mutual friends, was less about shared celebrity than shared purpose. When they married in 1996, Stevens was 45; Farida was 30. The age gap and their differing backgrounds might have raised eyebrows in other circles, but for a man who had spent years rejecting the trappings of his former life, it was a match made on terms he could control.The Mechanics
The mechanics of who is Cat Stevens married to now are simple on paper: a wedding in 1996, three daughters born between 1997 and 2000, and a household that operates with the same discretion as his earlier years. What’s less obvious is how their marriage functions in practice. Farida has never sought the limelight, but she has played a pivotal role in Stevens’ later years. While he has occasionally spoken about his children—particularly his eldest daughter, Aisha, who has followed in his musical footsteps—he has rarely mentioned Farida by name in interviews. This isn’t out of disrespect; it’s a reflection of their shared philosophy. Stevens has often cited his faith as the cornerstone of his life, and in Islamic tradition, the privacy of the home is sacrosanct. Farida, in interviews with close associates, has described their marriage as a partnership of equals, where neither seeks to overshadow the other. Their household in London’s leafy Hampstead area is a far cry from the penthouses of his 1970s heyday. Stevens has described it as a place of "simplicity and prayer," where the focus is on family, study, and community work. Farida, who holds a degree in education, has been involved in charitable initiatives, particularly those supporting Muslim women and children. Their daughters—Aisha, Nora, and Laila—have been raised with the same blend of artistic and spiritual influences that defined their father’s upbringing. Aisha, in particular, has drawn comparisons to her father’s early work, though she has carved her own path in music and activism. The absence of drama in their lives is deliberate; Stevens has often spoken about the importance of protecting his family from the intrusions that came with his fame.Details That Change the Picture
The most striking detail about who Cat Stevens is married to today isn’t Farida herself, but what her presence represents: the culmination of a man’s deliberate unraveling from the past. While his first two marriages were defined by the chaos of his personal and professional transitions, his marriage to Farida has been a period of stability. This isn’t to say their relationship has been without challenges—no marriage is—but the lack of public records, lawsuits, or even rumors of tension speaks volumes. In an era where celebrity marriages often collapse under the weight of social media and paparazzi, Stevens and Farida’s union stands as an anomaly: a private, faith-centered partnership that has endured for nearly three decades. Another layer to consider is the cultural context. Farida’s Pakistani heritage and Stevens’ British upbringing created a fusion of traditions that might seem unusual to outsiders. Yet, for Stevens, this was a natural evolution. His second wife, Aisha Bachmann, was Swiss, but their marriage was overshadowed by his spiritual and health crises. Farida, by contrast, shared his commitment to Islam and his desire to live quietly. Their wedding, held in a private ceremony in London, was attended by close friends and family—no press, no fanfare. This low-key approach extended to their children’s upbringings. While Aisha has occasionally spoken about her father’s influence, she has also emphasized the importance of privacy, a value instilled by both parents."The most important thing in life is not what you leave behind, but what you take with you. And for me, that’s my family." —Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam), in a 2010 interview with The Independent
| Marriage | Details |
|---|---|
| First Marriage (1967–1978) | Patti D’Arbanville; divorced amid Stevens’ drug use and conversion to Islam. |
| Second Marriage (1982–1984) | Aisha Bachmann; ended shortly after his return to music and faith. |
| Third Marriage (1996–present) | Farida Islam; three daughters (Aisha, Nora, Laila); no public conflicts. |
| Shared Values | Islamic faith, privacy, charitable work, and a rejection of celebrity culture. |
Conclusion
The question of who is Cat Stevens married to now reveals more about the man behind the music than any album cover or concert photo ever could. Farida Islam isn’t just a spouse; she’s a partner in his quiet revolution—a life reshaped around faith, family, and the deliberate shedding of a past that no longer served him. Their marriage is a study in contrasts: a union between a former rock star and a woman who chose obscurity over fame, between a man who once sang about love’s fleeting nature and one who has found permanence in the most unexpected of places. It’s a reminder that the most enduring legacies aren’t built on headlines or hit singles, but on the choices made in the privacy of a home where the cameras aren’t allowed. What’s most fascinating about Stevens’ current marriage is how little it resembles the romantic narratives of his songs. There are no grand gestures, no dramatic reconciliations, no public declarations of love. Instead, there’s the steady rhythm of daily life—prayer, study, and the unspoken understanding that some things are too precious to share. In an age where every relationship is dissected for its drama, Stevens and Farida’s marriage is a rare example of what it means to live authentically, on one’s own terms. And perhaps that’s the most powerful answer to who Cat Stevens is married to today: not just a name, but a lifestyle choice, a philosophy, and a testament to the idea that even legends can find peace in the ordinary.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: How many times has Cat Stevens been married?
A: Three times. His first marriage to Patti D’Arbanville ended in 1978, his second to Aisha Bachmann in 1984, and he has been married to Farida Islam since 1996.
Q: Are Cat Stevens and Farida Islam still together?
A: Yes, as of 2024. There have been no public reports of separation or marital issues in over two decades of marriage.
Q: How many children does Cat Stevens have?
A: He has five children in total: four from his first two marriages (Farrah, North, Craig, and Aisha) and three daughters (Aisha, Nora, and Laila) with Farida Islam.
Q: Has Cat Stevens ever discussed his marriage to Farida in interviews?
A: Rarely, and only in broad terms. He has described her as a "blessing" and mentioned her role in supporting him during health struggles, but he avoids detailed personal discussions.
Q: Where do Cat Stevens and Farida Islam live?
A: Primarily in London, though they have also spent time in Dubai and other private residences. Stevens has described their home as a place of "simplicity and prayer."
Q: What is Farida Islam’s background?
A: Farida Islam is of Pakistani-British descent and has a background in education and philanthropy. She is active in charitable work, particularly supporting Muslim women and children.
Q: Has Farida Islam ever given interviews about her marriage?
A: No. Like her husband, Farida has maintained a strict policy of privacy, avoiding public statements or media appearances about her personal life.
Q: What role does Farida Islam play in Cat Stevens’ life today?
A: She is a central figure in his later years, providing stability and shared values. While he focuses on faith and charity, she supports his work and manages their household with discretion.
Q: Are there any rumors or speculation about their marriage?
A: Minimal. Given Stevens’ history of privacy, any rumors are quickly dismissed by his inner circle. There have been no credible reports of infidelity or conflict.
Q: How has Cat Stevens’ marriage to Farida affected his career?
A: It hasn’t directly influenced his music or public persona, but it has reinforced his commitment to living outside the spotlight. His later work, including his 2014 album Cats and Dogs, reflects a man more focused on spirituality than fame.
