Bonnie Tyler final years still tied to the man wey dey before power ballads, before arena crowds, before “Total Eclipse of the Heart” make her voice part of pop history. Dat man na Robert Sullivan, her husband of more dan five decades, former British Olympic judoka wey later become property developer.
Dia marriage wey start for 1973 last through fame, touring, painful miscarriage, public scrutiny, and tabloid affair allegation wey fit don end less durable relationship. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins for Skewen, Wales, meet Sullivan for 1970 at nightclub for Swansea, when she still dey work her way through local music scene.
She neva become international name, and she later suggest say timing help protect di relationship from pressures wey often come with celebrity. “I think di secret to our success na say we meet before I famous,” Tyler tell The Times for 2025. Di couple marry on July 14, 1973.
By time Tyler become star, Sullivan no be new arrival for her life. He already part of her foundation. Sullivan get im own sporting background before become known as Tyler husband. He represent Great Britain for judo at 1972 Munich Olympics, compete for men half-middleweight division.
After im athletic career, he move into property development, field wey help shape di couple reported wealth. Tyler credit Sullivan business instincts with helping dem build substantial real estate portfolio over years, including homes and land connect to Wales, Portugal, Berkshire, and New Zealand.
Di couple spend plenty of dia time between South Wales and di Algarve, where dem own home. Reports say Sullivan dey with Tyler during her final illness for Portugal, underscore di role wey he play for most of her adult life. He also get connection to anoda Welsh star: Sullivan relate to Catherine Zeta-Jones as cousin of di actress father David James Jones.
Tyler and Sullivan neva get pikin. She become pregnant at 39 but suffer miscarriage after two-and-half months, and later say she find family joy through her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and godchildren.
Dia marriage also test publicly. For 2016, Meghann Pernot, French fan of Tyler, allege for interview with The Mirror say she get 18-month affair with Sullivan. Di claim neva prove, but e become difficult public episode for di couple. Tyler choose to remain with am, explain dia bond for direct terms.
“There will always be ups and downs, but we love each other,” Tyler say. “We spend all dis time together. We laugh plenty, we talk plenty. I love am and he love me. Besides, since di late 1970s he always accompany me when I dey on tour. There no point living separate lives.”
Dat answer fit explain why Sullivan remain such central figure for her life. He no just be husband of famous singer. He be di man wey meet her before di world do.
