Iron Maiden star Bruce Dickinson’s son says ‘I haven’t even got the words’ after his mum Paddy Bowden, 58, died in ‘tragic accident’
Paddy Bowden, 58, passed away at their marital home in Chiswick, West London
London Ambulance Service confirmed Bowden was pronounced dead on arrivalDickinson said: ‘This is a terrible tragedy which appears to be a tragic accident’
Couple married in 1990 before it was reported they had parted ways in 2018
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson’s son said he ‘hasn’t even got the words’ following the death of his mother Paddy Bowden.
Bowden, 58, – who was estranged from Dickinson – was found dead following a ‘tragic accident’ in the couple’s £3million former marital home in Chiswick, West London.
The former-couple’s son Austin Dickinson wrote in a heart-breaking post on Instagram: ‘By now a lot of you have seen the news.
‘My mum has tragically passed away, I haven’t even got the words to say right now and I ask for privacy and respect for myself and our family.’
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson’s son Austin (right, in 2015) said he ‘hasn’t even got the words’ following the death of his mother Patrice Bowden (second left). Right: The couple’s other son Griffin
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Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson’s son Austin (right, in 2015) said he ‘hasn’t even got the words’ following the death of his mother Patrice Bowden (second left). Right: The couple’s other son Griffin
The former-couple’s son Austin Dickinson wrote a heart-breaking post on Instagram
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The former-couple’s son Austin Dickinson wrote a heart-breaking post on Instagram
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The estranged wife of Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson – Paddy Bowden(right with Dickinson in 2014) – has died in a ‘tragic accident’, the family has revealed
Ambulance crews wearing protective suits found Bowden at 10am yesterday morning after reports of a person being ‘unwell’.
Neighbours on the street described seeing paramedics in personal protective equipment entering Bowden’s home earlier today.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told The Sun: ‘We thought it was some sort of coronavirus alert. They’re a very private couple- it’s tragic news.’
Two ambulances arrived to the scene, with the first one arriving within two minutes, but Bowden, who is American by birth, was pronounced dead on arrival.
The musician, 61, and his wife, who share sons Austin, 29, Griffin, 27 and daughter Kia, 28, together, reportedly parted ways in 2018, with their shock divorce estimated to be worth £90 million.
In a heartfelt statement, Dickinson said: ‘This is a terrible tragedy which appears to be a tragic accident. Our children Austin, Griffin and Kia and I are devastated.
The couple ( pictured together in 2016) parted ways in November- 29 years after they got married
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The couple ( pictured together in 2016) parted ways in November- 29 years after they got married
Iron Maiden frontman (pictured at Sweden Rock Festival in 2018) married Paddy in 1990 after two years of dating
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Iron Maiden frontman (pictured at Sweden Rock Festival in 2018) married Paddy in 1990 after two years of dating
‘Out of respect for Paddy we won’t be making any further comment at this hugely difficult and painful time for our family.’
The London Ambulance Service also confirmed they had attended the scene but that the patient was pronounced dead on arrival.
A spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 9.42am today to reports of a person unwell at an address in Chiswick.
‘We sent two ambulance crews to the scene – the first one arriving within two minutes.
‘Sadly, the patient had already died.’
The Iron Maiden frontman, who was previously married to Jane Dickinson, tied the knot with Bowden, who was a psychotherapist by trade, in 1990 after dating for two years.
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However in November 2019, it was reported that the musician had quietly parted ways with the mother of his three children and was facing a multi-million pound divorce battle.
It was later revealed that Dickinson had moved out of the marital home to relocate to Paris after forming a relationship with the ‘fitness teacher, journalist and fashion blogger’ Leana Dolci, who is thought to be in her 40s.
After news of their relationship broke, a friend of Leana’s told The Mirror at the time: ‘Leana has always been a huge Iron Maiden fan, following them around for nearly 10 years.
‘She and Bruce have got really close over the past year and she has even met his children. Paddy is in South America having some space from it all.’
A neighbour of the new couple told MailOnline at the time: ‘Bruce and Leana appear very much in love.
The couple’s (pictured at the Shakespeare’s Globe Gala Dinner in 2013) shock divorce was estimated to be worth £90 million
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The couple’s (pictured at the Shakespeare’s Globe Gala Dinner in 2013) shock divorce was estimated to be worth £90 million
Dickinson and Bowden married in 1990 after dating for two years. The couple are pictured together in 2015
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His divorce from Bowden came four years after he beat stage 3 throat cancer after finding out he had two tumours on his tongue
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Dickinson and Bowden (left in 2015 and right in 2016) married in 1990 after dating for two years and share three children together
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Following his split from Bowden it was revealed that Dickinson had moved to Paris and formed a relationship with the Leana Dolce (pictured together in Paris)
After news of their relationship broke, a friend of Leana’s told The Mirror at the time: ‘Leana (pictured) has always been a huge Iron Maiden fan, following them around for nearly 10 years’
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After news of their relationship broke, a friend of Leana’s told The Mirror at the time: ‘Leana (pictured) has always been a huge Iron Maiden fan, following them around for nearly 10 years’
‘Bruce is trying to speak French but it is not necessary for Leana because she speaks English very well.
‘Bruce has been living here in Paris for quite some time.’
In 2015, Dickinson’s singing career was put on hold after he was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer and told he had two tumours on his tongue.
The cancer was diagnosed during a routine check-up just before Christmas and Dickinson had to undergo chemotherapy and radiology.
As Dickinson underwent nine weeks of chemotherapy and 33 sessions of radiation, Bowden helped nurse him back to health at their home in London.
The musician was eventually given the all-clear after six months.
Later that year Iron Maiden announced they would not be touring any of their shows until their fellow band member was ‘back to full strength’.
Today, fans poured onto social media to pay tribute to the former wife of the Iron Maiden frontman.
One person wrote: ‘RIP Paddy Bowden. What a wonderful mother she must have been to bring us such talented children. Love to her nearest and dearest.’
While another social media user wrote: ‘RIP Paddy Bowden. Thinking of you, Bruce and family at this sad time.’
Dickinson, who has amassed a £100million fortune during his career, later wrote about his cancer battle in his 2017 autobiography What Does This Button Do? and also told Rolling Stone magazine how surviving it changed his outlook on life – saying: ‘Living is living now, every minute, every second, for right now.’
The musician also told the BBC’s Radio 2 that he had made a conscious effort to keep his former wives and his children out of the book and has tried to keep his family life largely out of public view.
He said: ‘There’s no need for it, really. And I think there’s a belief that that nastiness somehow sells books. And I’m not sure one, that it does, and two, that it’s particularly the sort of book that I want to be a part of.
Dickinson (pictured), who left the band in 1993 only to re-join in 1999, is known for his on-stage energy and vocal range
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Dickinson (pictured), who left the band in 1993 only to re-join in 1999, is known for his on-stage energy and vocal range
The frontman (pictured in Dublin, Ireland in 2010) battled stage 3 throat cancer in 2015
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The frontman (pictured in Dublin, Ireland in 2010) battled stage 3 throat cancer in 2015
Iron Maiden were formed in Leyton, east London, in 1975 and have sold over 100 million copies of their albums
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Iron Maiden were formed in Leyton, east London, in 1975 and have sold over 100 million copies of their albums
‘So I made the decision that, in amongst not being horrid to people, cause there’s no point, at the same time, I thought, well, I also don’t want to tell confidences about other people’s lives.’
In 2017, he told BBC Breakfast: ‘The thing that focused my mind sharply was being diagnosed with throat cancer which was a bit of blow being a singer obviously.
‘Obviously I got better and so I thought that’s a pretty good reset button for the rest of your life.
Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar took to Twitter to share his last message from Bowden
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Bhaskar called her a ‘wonderful and ever-supportive friend’
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Comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar took to Twitter to share his last message from Bowden, who he called a ‘wonderful and ever-supportive friend’
‘Ten months in hiatus thinking I’m not sure if it’s going to work singing wise and then simultaneously wanting to learn to fly a 747 to go and fly the band around on a 72- date world tour I thought ”that’s not a bad comeback is it really”.’
The musician, who has also carved out a career as a professional pilot with stints flying for BA, Easyjet and BMI, added: ‘It always makes me laugh when people say he’s a licensed commercial pilot like there’s an unlicensed commercial pilot.
‘Not being John Travolta I couldn’t afford to buy my own airliner and so I really got quite deeply into flying and loving aeroplanes and stuff and thought how do I get to fly a big jet and I thought well I’ll have to get a job.’
Dickinson and Bowden married in 1990 after dating for two years. Previously, he was married to Jane Dickinson for four years from 1983 but they had no children.
Dickinson, who left the band in 1993 only to re-join in 1999 , is known for his operatic vocal style and energetic presence on stage.
The frontman’s sons have also followed in their father’s musical footsteps, with Austin the lead singer of the heavy metal band Rise to Remain until their split in 2015 and Griffin the vocalist of the metalcore band SHVPES.
Iron Maiden were formed in Leyton, east London, in 1975 and have sold more than 100 million copies of their albums and won multiple awards, making them one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic the band recently announced they would cancel their Legacy of the Beast World Tour until June 2021.
The heavy metal band Iron Maiden backstage at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin in 1983. Pictured from left to right: Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, and Adrian Smith
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The heavy metal band Iron Maiden backstage at the Alpine Valley Music Theater in Wisconsin in 1983. Pictured from left to right: Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, and Adrian Smith
The musician (pictured) and his wife split in November, 29 years after they got married. Their shock divorce was estimated to be worth £90 million
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The musician (pictured) and his wife split in November, 29 years after they got married. Their shock divorce was estimated to be worth £90 million
A message on their website read: ‘Due to the continuing health issues Worldwide around Covid-19 we regretfully inform you that Iron Maiden will now not be playing any concerts until June 2021.’
They added: ‘The band are all fine and send you guys their best wishes, they are very much looking forward to getting back on stage next year and seeing you all so, please, continue to take care of yourselves and stay SMART.’
Dickinson, who also flies Iron Maiden while on tour on the band’s Boeing 747, Ed Force One, is also a beer brewer, scriptwriter, novelist, a BBC radio presenter and entrepreneur as well as a world-class fencer.
The singer still remains active touring with the rock band who have penned hits including Run To The Hills and Can I Play With Madness.
He also chairs an aviation firm in the Vale of Glamorgan that is set to receive millions of pounds in new investment.
Today fans took to social media to pay tribute to the former wife of the Iron Maiden musician
Today fans took to social media to pay tribute to the former wife of the Iron Maiden musician
In 2014, Dickinson confirmed that he had boycotted Glastonbury for being ‘too bourgeois’.
He said at the time: ‘Personally I have no interest in going to Glastonbury. In the days when Glasto was an alternative festival it was quite interesting, but anywhere Gwyneth Paltrow goes and you can live in an air-conditioned yurt is not for me.’
Last year, the musician revealed that his next solo album would be released in 2020 during an interview with Argentina’s Clarin magazine.
