Penny Lancaster says she would have left Rod Stewart over children, IVF journey details

Penny Lancaster revealed she was prepared to end her marriage to Rod Stewart if he would not agree to have children with her, a decision tied to the couple’s attempt to start a family through IVF amid heartbreak. The model, 54, and the rocker, 80, have been married for 18 years and are promoting Lancaster’s new memoir. In excerpts published ahead of the book, Lancaster discussed how the pursuit of parenthood shaped their relationship and the eventual path to a family.

Rod Stewart had been reluctant to expand his family, given that he already counts six children with four women. He is father to Sarah Streeter, 60, from a prior relationship, as well as Kimberly, 45, and Sean, 44, from his marriage to actress Alana Stewart. He also shares Ruby, 37, with Kelly Emberg, and Renee, 32, with Rachel Hunter. Lancaster said she would have left him if he refused to try for more children, noting, “Yes. And that would have been very hard. But we just went with the flow.” Their conversation also touched on earlier hopes to adopt, which were later set aside due to concerns about an age gap between potential siblings.

Lancaster’s drive to have children culminated in a miscarriage before the couple turned to IVF. They eventually welcomed two sons, Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14, after the IVF journey. She described how the heavy lifting of fertility treatment required injections that could be done at home or on the road, even backstage at Rod’s shows. “There’s a certain amount of injections you have to do, one in the stomach and one in your bottom,” she recalled, adding that Rod was “very patient and very committed” and that he told her, “Look, darling, if you want to keep giving it a go, I’m right behind you. Let’s go for this.”

The couple also recalled lighter moments amid the fertility process, including humor from their medical team and the two-headed/four-legged jokes about sperm that helped them cope with the stress. Lancaster emphasized that there should be a more open discussion about fertility issues, noting that both men and women need space to talk about the serious side of trying to conceive while also normalizing the experience.

The narrative of how the two began dating adds a personal layer to the broader fertility discussion. Lancaster recounted that she and Rod met at a Christmas party after a friend urged her to approach him for an autograph. Their relationship developed quickly, following Rod’s split from Rachel earlier in that year. She described how her parents reacted to the relationship; they reportedly anticipated possible hurdles but ultimately embraced the partnership. She recalled her father, a lawyer, and Rod both dressing in matching “professional” outfits for their first meeting, a moment that underscored the couple’s shared sense of humor and the long road they traveled together.

In promoting her memoir, Lancaster also referenced BBC Breakfast, where she recounts the infertility journey and the supportive role Rod played throughout. She described Rod as someone who remained patient and steadfast through the medical process and the emotional ups and downs. The couple’s openness about their experience reflects a broader conversation about fertility and family planning that Lancaster says deserves more public dialogue.

Today, Rod Stewart has expressed happiness with Lancaster, saying she has everything he wants and that he is “happier than ever.” The couple’s story—ranging from the decision to have children to the IVF milestones and the personal resilience required—offers a candid glimpse into the health and emotional dimensions of infertility, treatment, and family-building at midlife.