Michael Bolton is one of the most successful soft rock balladeers of all time, having sold over 75 million records worldwide over his decades-long career. The singer is best known for his soulful love songs and powerful ballads like “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Given his reputation as a romantic crooner, fans are often curious about Bolton’s personal love life. So is Michael Bolton currently married?
Michael Bolton’s Marriage History
Michael Bolton has been married three times over the years. His first marriage was to Maureen McGuire. The two were married from 1975 to 1990 and had three daughters together – Isa, Holly, and Taryn. After 15 years of marriage, Bolton and McGuire divorced in 1990.
Just a year after his divorce from McGuire, Bolton married actress Nicollette Sheridan in 1991. Sheridan is known for her roles on the television shows Knots Landing and Desperate Housewives. Bolton and Sheridan’s marriage only lasted 5 years before they separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1995.
In 1996, Bolton married for a third time to singer and actress Nicolette Nicol. They have two daughters together – Terese and Katy. Bolton and Nicol seemed to have a solid marriage at first. However, in 2008 after 12 years of marriage, Nicol filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in 2010.
Michael Bolton’s Current Relationship Status
As of October 2023, Michael Bolton is not currently married. The 70-year-old singer remains unmarried since his 2010 divorce from third wife Nicolette Nicol. He has not remarried or been publicly linked to any serious relationship since then.
Though he has described himself as still open to and interested in love, Bolton seems to be enjoying the single life. He maintains an active performance schedule, tours frequently, and remains focused on music and his career. The legendary crooner does not appear to be in any rush to walk down the aisle again anytime soon.
Looking Back at Michael Bolton’s Marriages
While Michael Bolton is not married today, he was married for over 25 years cumulatively over the course of his three marriages:
- 1975-1990: Maureen McGuire, 3 daughters
- 1991-1995: Nicollette Sheridan
- 1996-2010: Nicolette Nicol, 2 daughters
Bolton met first wife Maureen McGuire in 1975 while recording his self-titled debut album. They married that same year when Bolton was only 22 years old. The marriage lasted 15 years and produced three children before ending in divorce as Bolton’s music career took off.
His brief marriage to Nicollette Sheridan only lasted 5 tumultuous years. The two had a passionate but stormy relationship marred by rumors of infidelity and volatility. They ultimately divorced in 1995.
Bolton’s longest marriage was to Nicolette Nicol, lasting 14 years before their separation in 2008. They met when Nicol auditioned to sing backing vocals for Bolton’s tour in 1992. Despite staying together over a decade and having two kids, they too ended up divorcing in 2010.
Why Michael Bolton’s Marriages Failed
While the specific reasons behind the demise of each marriage are complex and personal, there seem to be some common themes that contributed to the downfall of Michael Bolton’s marriages:
- Fame and career demands – Bolton’s rise to fame in the late 80s and 90s coincided with the end of his first marriage. The pressures of stardom likely took a toll.
- Age at first marriage – Bolton was just 22 when he first got married in 1975. Marrying so young made the relationship vulnerable.
- Infidelity rumors – Cheating allegations plagued both his marriages to Sheridan and Nicol. Infidelity often signals deeper issues.
- Volatile personalities – Bolton and Sheridan were known to have an intense but combustible chemistry. Nicol also accused Bolton of being controlling.
- Irreconcilable differences – After so many years, differences naturally emerge that couples cannot overcome.
These factors created the conditions for the splits. However, it’s impossible to know precisely why the marriages didn’t last without being privy to the personal intricacies of their relationships.
Michael Bolton’s Life and Family Today
Though Michael Bolton has not remarried, he does remain very close to his adult daughters Isa, Holly, Taryn (from first wife Maureen), Terese, and Katy (from third wife Nicolette). Bolton made sure to prioritize fatherhood even at the height of his fame.
The doting dad has stated how his daughters helped keep him grounded over the years. When reflecting on his failed marriages, he admits that the divorces were painful but he focused on maintaining a strong relationship with his girls. He is often spotted publicly supporting them at events and celebrations.
Today, Michael Bolton lives in Connecticut and continues touring, recording new music, and running his non-profit The Michael Bolton Charities which advocates for women and children at risk. He also wrote a memoir titled “The Soul of It All” in 2019 which recounted lessons from his life and career.
Though Bolton has not ruled out getting married again, he seems content embracing the single life for now, enjoying time with family, and staying committed to his philanthropic causes and music.
Why Fans Care About Michael Bolton’s Relationship Status
There are a few key reasons why fans remain so interested and invested in Michael Bolton’s romantic relationships, even during times when he is single:
- He is a famous romantic crooner – Bolton is known for hugely popular love songs. Fans are intrigued by his real-life love story.
- His songs are based on his life – Bolton has said his music reflects his personal relationships and experiences.
- He has been married multiple times – 3 marriages, divorces, and 5 kids provide relationship drama and interest.
- Fans root for his happiness – Bolton has been through difficult divorces – fans hope he finds lasting love.
- Curiosity about celebrity lifestyles – Fans are often nosey about the private lives of famous people.
In many ways Michael Bolton cultivated an image as a romantic crooner through his music. So fans naturally take interest in who he is dating and his marriage status as they relate it back to his lovelorn songs and ballads.
Recent Relationships Rumors
While Michael Bolton has not had a serious public relationship since his divorce in 2010, there have been occasional rumors about him being linked to other female celebrities. However, none of these rumored involvements ever materialized into an actual confirmed relationship.
Some of the unverified relationship speculation has included:
- In 2012, gossip outlets suggested Bolton was getting cozy with iconic Motown singer Smokey Robinson’s ex-wife Frances Glandney.
- In 2013, Bolton was spotted having dinner with comedian Carol Leifer, sparking dating speculation.
- In 2015, Bolton brought TV star Nicolle Wallace as his guest to a White House state dinner, leading to romance rumors.
- In 2018, Bolton was photographed with unidentified woman, causing some outlets to claim he had a new girlfriend.
However, Michael Bolton’s reps have repeatedly had to dispel these rumors, clarifying that he is single. The singer himself has stated he is not in a relationship and is still looking for lasting love.
It seems these periodic sightings linked him speculatively to various women, but nothing so far has transpired beyond friendship or accompaniment to an event. So no solid partner has emerged since he split from his ex-wife Nicolette Nicol over a decade ago.
Michael Bolton’s Ideal Woman
Though Michael Bolton’s marriages failed, he has spoken over the years about some of the key qualities he looks for in an ideal romantic partner. Based on his comments, it seems Bolton values:
- Musical interest – Bolton wants someone who appreciates and shares his musical passion.
- Physical attraction – While not the most important factor, Bolton has implied he wants to be attracted to his partner.
- Spiritual connection – Bolton seeks an emotional and spiritual bond with his significant other.
- Understanding – Given his fame, Bolton needs a partner who can understand his lifestyle.
- Passion – Bolton seems drawn to passion in his romantic relationships.
Bolton has said the most important quality he wants in a partner is “an open heart”. He seems to seek a deep and meaningful relationship with strong communication, trust, and intimacy. The singer remains optimistic that he will find this special connection one day.
What Michael Bolton Has Said About Getting Married Again
Michael Bolton has not ruled out walking down the aisle again despite his three divorces. However, he has suggested that marriage is not something he is actively considering or rushing into anymore. Some relevant perspectives he has shared include:
- “I’m just focused on moving forward, not going backwards.”
- “I’m more cautious about marriage based on lessons learned.”
- “I would never say never, you never know what God’s plan is.”
- “I’m not anti-marriage, but I’m in no hurry either.”
- “I would have to be really convinced it’s right before marrying again.”
So in summary, while Michael Bolton remains open to marriage, he seems intent on letting fate guide him rather than trying to force a relationship. His comments indicate maturity, thoughtfulness about past mistakes, and desire to wait for the right circumstances.
How Michael Bolton’s Singleness Could Affect His Music
Michael Bolton’s songs have always been shaped by his romantic experiences and relationships. Now that he is single again and not married, there are some ways his music could potentially be impacted:
- He may focus more on self-love ballads about learning from past loves.
- His songs could take on a more reflective tone about loss, heartbreak, and starting over.
- Themes of hopefulness about finding new love may permeate his music.
- With age, his music may gravitate toward more mature perspectives on relationships.
- He may collaborate more with other artists and reinvent his sound as he evolves as an unmarried artist.
Of course, Bolton’s natural songwriting talents and powerful voice remain constants. But fans may discern a shift in the emotional content he brings to his new tracks reflecting where he is in life. Bolton has said he performs his life through music, so his songs provide insight into his psyche and experiences even during periods where he is not married.
Conclusion
While Michael Bolton has experienced his share of married life, today in 2023 he remains unmarried and appears content embracing the single life.
Bolton has not had a serious known romantic relationship in over 10 years since his split from third wife Nicolette Nicol. Though not completely closed off to marriage again someday, the iconic singer seems in no rush to wed again anytime soon.
This current single status allows Bolton to focus fully on his music career, family, charity work, and self-development. Fans continue to speculate about when he may find love again. But for now, Michael Bolton seems fulfilled building his legacy as an unmarried artist and foundational pop culture figure.