Bruce Springsteen longtime love and E Street Band guitarist, Patti Scialfa, has been his wife since 1991. The pair started out as friends but went on to fall in love while on tour.
Here's all the details of their epic love story…
Who is Bruce Springsteen's wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa?
Patti Scialfa is a musician in her own right. She's a celebrated American singer-songwriter and incredible guitarist. Born in Deal, New Jersey on the Jersey Shore, Patti wrote songs from an early age and attended the University of Miami's jazz conservatory at the Frost School of Music.
She eventually decided to transfer to New York University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in music.
© Taylor HillHow did Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa meet?
Patti and Bruce's love story began in the early 80s when they met at music venue Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. After watching one of future-wife's performances on stage, Bruce approached Patti and complimented her on her voice. This led to a blossoming friendship.
"It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We had a beer together, sat at a table, and talked. After that, I would go down every Sunday and sing, and sometimes he would be there. He knew I lived in New York and that I didn't have a car, so he would offer to drop me off at my mom's," Patti recalled.
Bruce reflected on their first meeting when he said. "She [Patti] came out and played onstage with, it might have been Bobby Bandiera or, I forget which local band was playing. But she came out and played the Exciters' hit 'Tell Him,' and she was very striking right from the beginning," he said.
© GettyBruce later invited Patti to join the E Street Band in 1984, just days before his 'Born in the U.S.A. Tour' was set to commence. Patti has been a part of the band ever since, and in 2014, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the band's key members.
When did Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa start dating?
Bruce was married to his first wife – actress Julianne Phillips – during the early years of his friendship with Patti and therefore they didn't consider a romantic relationship. But once Bruce's marriage ended.
© GettyShortly after their separation, Bruce and Patti, who had allegedly fallen for one another during his 'Tunnel of Love Express Tour' (1988), started dating. "Patti's been in love with Bruce for as long as I can remember," her high school art teacher Curtis K. Smith famously told People magazine in 1988.
"We'd always heard this and that about Patti and Bruce from [her brother] Michael. It wasn't a big surprise around here when it finally came into the open."
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's wedding
© GettyIn 1991, Bruce and Patti tied the knot at their $14 million Mediterranean mansion in Beverly Hills, California. According to People, the couple held a moving candlelight ceremony in which they exchanged rings and vows that they had written themselves. Their E Street bandmates were all in attendance, with the exception of Clarence Clemons.
Bruce sported a classic black tuxedo, while his bride opted for a floor-length white gown adorned with pearl teardrops.
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa's family life
Prior to their wedding, Bruce and Patti had already welcomed a bouncing baby boy named Evan James, in 1990. Their second child, daughter Jessica Rae, was born in 1991 and their youngest son, Samuel 'Sam' Ryan, was born in 1994.
© Bruce GlikasAs of 2022, Patti and Bruce are proud grandparents to Sam's daughter, Lily Harper Springsteen.
