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Julianne Phillips Reflects on Whirlwind Marriage to Bruce Springsteen
26 Oct
Summary
- Julianne Phillips was Bruce Springsteen's first wife, married in 1985 and divorced in 1989
- Springsteen's 1987 album "Tunnel of Love" was inspired by the difficulties in their relationship
- Phillips credits Springsteen for helping her grow during their time together
In 2025, Julianne Phillips, Bruce Springsteen's first wife, has shared insights into their brief but tumultuous marriage. The couple met in 1984 and married just seven months later in May 1985. However, their relationship faced difficulties, and they privately separated in 1988 before finalizing their divorce the following year.
Springsteen's 1987 album "Tunnel of Love" is widely believed to have been inspired, in part, by the struggles in his marriage to Phillips. Songs like "One Step Up" and "Ain't Got You" reflect the challenges of their relationship. While Springsteen has never directly cited Phillips as his muse, his bandmate Steven Van Zandt confirmed that several tracks on the album were influenced by the rocker's personal life.
Despite the heartbreak, Phillips has expressed gratitude for the impact Springsteen had on her. She told a biographer that the period with Springsteen was "a time of incredible growth and introspection" for her, for which she will "forever give that credit to Bruce." The two have maintained a cordial relationship since their divorce, with Springsteen describing Phillips as "one of the best people I've ever met."
