Rod Stewart Siblings: Meet the Stewart Siblings

Roderick Stewart, born on January 10, 1945, in Highgate, North London, is a British rock and pop singer-songwriter.

The youngest of five children born to Robert Joseph Stewart, a Scottish master builder, and Elsie Rebecca Gilbart, an Englishwoman, Stewart grew up in a close-knit, working-class family.

His childhood, marked by a “fantastically happy” upbringing, was shaped by his parents’ move from Scotland to London, where he was born during the final months of World War II.

Stewart’s early passions included football and music, with his father encouraging his athletic ambitions while his siblings played a pivotal role in nurturing his musical interests.

Siblings

Rod was the youngest of five siblings, with an eight-year gap separating him from his closest sibling.

His siblings, two brothers, Don and Bob, and two sisters, Mary and Peggy, were born in Scotland before the family relocated to London.

Don Stewart, who passed away in September 2022 at age 94, and Bob Stewart, who died two months later, were described by Rod as his “best mates” and “irreplaceable buddies.”

Both shared his love for football, though Bob was a staunch Rangers supporter, contrasting Rod’s devotion to Celtic.

Peggy Stewart, the youngest of his siblings before Rod, tragically died in 1975 at age 40 from multiple sclerosis, a loss that deeply affected the family and strengthened their bond.

Mary Stewart, born in 1928 and now 97, is Rod’s last surviving sibling.

Known for her close relationship with Rod, whom she affectionately calls “Roddy,” Mary has been a constant presence in his life, babysitting him as a child and later joining him on stage during his 2023 UK tour in Edinburgh at age 94.

At her 90th birthday in 2019, Rod praised his siblings for their unwavering support, noting their role in his rise to fame, even humorously recalling “the odd punch-up” with Don.

Mary, who resides in London, remains a cherished figure, with Rod celebrating her 95th birthday in 2023 alongside family.

Career

Stewart’s career spans over six decades, beginning in the early 1960s when he busked with a harmonica and sang folk tunes alongside Wizz Jones.

His big break came in 1964 when Long John Baldry invited him to join the Hoochie Coochie Men after hearing him perform at Twickenham railway station.

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Billed as “Rod the Mod” for his dandyish style, Stewart gained visibility through stints with bands like Steampacket, Shotgun Express, and the Jeff Beck Group, where his collaboration with guitarist Ron Wood laid the foundation for his signature blend of rock, folk, soul, and R&B.

In 1969, he joined the Faces (formerly Small Faces) while simultaneously launching a solo career with his debut album, An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down.

His 1971 album Every Picture Tells a Story, featuring the hit “Maggie May,” catapulted him to international stardom, topping charts in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

The Faces, known for their raucous live performances, complemented Stewart’s solo success until their dissolution in 1975.

His solo career flourished with albums like Gasoline Alley (1970), Never a Dull Moment (1972), and Atlantic Crossing (1975), blending gritty rock with soulful ballads.

In the late 1970s, Stewart embraced disco with hits like “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” which, despite controversy, became a global sensation.

The 1980s and 1990s saw him navigate changing musical trends, with hits like “Downtown Train” (1989) and the reflective Vagabond Heart (1991).

In the 2000s, he reinvented himself with the Great American Songbook series, earning a Grammy for Stardust… Volume III in 2004.

Stewart’s later work, including Time (2013) and Blood Red Roses (2018), showcased his songwriting resurgence, while his 2024 album Swing Fever with Jools Holland explored jazz and swing.

Accolades

Stewart has sold over 120 million records worldwide, with 11 UK number-one albums and 25 top-ten singles, including several chart-topping hits.

In 2004, he won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Stardust… The Great American Songbook Volume III, cementing his success in interpreting classic standards.

Stewart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—first as a solo artist in 1994 and later with the Faces in 2012—recognizing his contributions to rock music.

In 2016, he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to music and charity, earning the title Sir Rod Stewart.

His 1994 concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, attended by over 4 million people, holds a Guinness World Record for the largest free rock concert in history.

In 2025, Stewart received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards, presented by five of his children, a heartfelt moment that underscored his enduring legacy.