Shivangi Sinha
While much is known about the legendary career of Gloria Gaynor, her personal life has largely remained private. Lifetime’s ‘I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story’ explores different facets of her journey, including her marriage to Linwood Simon. In recent interviews, Gaynor has opened up about her past life with her ex-husband and her current relationships. She has reflected on their time together with honesty and shed light on both the challenges and the lessons she has carried forward.
Gloria Gaynor Remained Married to Linwood Simon For 26 Years
Gloria Gaynor first met Linwood Simon in the mid-1970s through his sisters. At the time, Simon worked for the New York Transit Police, but after their meeting, he gradually became involved in Gaynor’s career and eventually took on the role of her manager. The couple married on October 9, 1979, shortly after Gaynor underwent a complex surgery, during which Simon provided a lot of support. While they shared both good and difficult times, Gaynor later alleged that Simon had been unfaithful and struggled with drug addiction. She revealed that it was during her reconnection with her faith in the 1980s that she found the strength to step away from the marriage.
Gaynor alleged that during a period when she suffered from migraines for several consecutive days and sensed something was seriously wrong, Simon showed indifference and refused to take her to a hospital. She said it was his alleged lack of concern that made her realize the love between them was gone and that she needed to end the marriage. At the age of 65, on June 24, 2004, she filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2005. Their assets were divided, and for a while, Gaynor held on to the home in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, where they had built their lives together.
When Simon stepped away from his role as Gaynor’s husband, he also relinquished his position as her manager. Gaynor’s new manager, Stephanie Gold, later alleged that Simon had been very unfair to her and claimed it was shocking that such a successful singer had almost no money when her marriage ended. To cope with the breakup, Gaynor turned to therapy. Since her divorce, she has not been publicly linked to any other romantic partner. In a 2024 interview, she expressed a desire to start dating but admitted she had yet to find the right man. She shared that while she enjoyed the company of men and had many male friends, she had not found a romantic connection.
Gloria Gaynor Said That She Always Wanted to Have Children
In a 2023 documentary about her life, Gloria Gaynor revealed that she had always wanted children, but her husband, Linwood Simon, did not share the same desire. While she never had kids of her own, she cherishes her close circle of friends, family, and beloved nieces and nephews. Deeply connected to her community, Gaynor has contributed significantly to pediatric hospitals in any way she could. She also shared that she has been actively working with organizations that help absentee fathers understand the importance of being involved in their children’s lives. Having grown up without a father herself, Gaynor announced in 2024 that she hopes to become an advocate for abandoned daughters and has channeled her love and experiences into a meaningful and impactful cause.
Read More: Where is Stephanie Gold Now? Is She Still Gloria Gaynor’s Manager?
