When we talk about the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger’s large family often takes the spotlight. But let’s shift our focus to the late drummer, Charlie Watts. Charlie, unlike Mick, had a much smaller family. He and his wife of 57 years, Shirley Watts, had just one child, their cherished daughter, Seraphina. Despite Charlie being part of one of rock 'n roll's most legendary bands, they made a conscious effort to keep Seraphina’s life private and away from the glare of the public eye. Let’s dive deeper into their story.
Remembering Charlie Watts: A Gentleman Drummer and Devoted Family Man
On August 24, 2021, the music world lost a true legend. Charlie Watts passed away peacefully at the age of 80 in a London hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. A spokesman for the iconic drummer shared with Closer: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members, and close friends is respected at this difficult time.”
Charlie wasn’t just a legendary drummer; he was also a devoted family man. In their official statement, the Rolling Stones highlighted this side of him: “Charlie was a beloved husband, father, and grandpa, as well as one of the best drummers of his generation as a member of The Rolling Stones.”
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The Watts Family: A Life Away from the Spotlight
Charlie and Shirley Watts tied the knot in October 1964, just as the Rolling Stones were about to explode onto the global stage. Their daughter, Seraphina, was born in March 1968. From the very beginning, Charlie and Shirley were determined to shield Seraphina from the chaos and fame that came with being part of such a legendary band. As a result, very little is known about her upbringing. They successfully kept her life private, allowing her to grow up in relative peace.
Seraphina, now 53, eventually married a lawyer named Nick. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Charlotte, who became Charlie and Shirley’s only grandchild. Charlotte followed in her grandfather’s footsteps in a unique way—she became a model and even graced the cover of Hello magazine in October 2015. The magazine described her as “artist, roadie, and rock royalty.” Charlotte often traveled the world as her grandfather’s unofficial personal assistant during the Rolling Stones’ tours, staying close to her family roots.
Charlotte once shared her admiration for her grandfather, saying, “We’re really proud of Pa. He’s just so humble about it [fame]. He’s not all over the place; he’s just so damn cool. It would probably be a different story if we were being chased all the time... I can’t imagine what it must be like for Mick [Jagger].” To honor her grandfather, Charlotte even got a tattoo of the iconic Rolling Stones tongue logo on her left forearm.
Seraphina’s Journey After Nick: A New Chapter
While it’s unclear when Seraphina and Nick parted ways, she found love again in 2017 when she married Barry Catmur. The couple now resides in a beautiful $1.5 million farmhouse in Rhode Island. Like her parents, Seraphina continues to maintain a private life, staying out of the public eye as much as possible.
In December 2022, Seraphina and Barry shared the devastating news of Shirley’s passing. Shirley, who was 82, passed away peacefully in Devon after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. A statement from Seraphina, Charlotte, and Barry read: “It is with great sadness that Seraphina, Charlotte, and Barry announce the death of their much-loved mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law Shirley Watts. Shirley died peacefully on Friday, December 16, in Devon after a short illness surrounded by her family.”
