Rock icon Bruce Springsteen is nicknamed The Boss and likes wearing leathers and thick boots and riding motorcycles, but insiders say the “Tougher Than the Rest” singer’s a total pussycat when it comes to his wife, Patti, who’s the real boss — and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The 76-year-old “Dancing in the Dark” rocker and 72-year-old bandmate Patti, mom of their three grown kids, have been in lockstep for decades and despite his tough image, she’s the queen bee.
Says an insider: “Bruce absolutely worships Patti. She’s been his rock through everything, especially his battle with depression. During the dark times when he was struggling to even get out of bed, her love and support is what saved him.”
“He’s very clear he wouldn’t be where he is today without her and says he’s better off when she’s the boss.”
Patti and Bruce hooked up in 1988 at the end of his four-year marriage to actress Julianne Phillips and well after the struggling 1982 period covered by the new biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
“The biopic doesn’t include Patti,” notes the insider. “It’s a very specific period of time in his life before they were involved.
“But that didn’t stop him from making sure she was a part of every decision. Anything Bruce does, Patti has the last word on, and that’s the way he likes it.”
“He says she keeps him balanced and reminds him what really matters. She’s the ultimate mama bear, for him and their kids. That doesn’t mean their marriage has been perfect.”
“They’ve had to weather their fair share of storms, including a couple of times he’s been accused of cheating, although he swears he never would.”
One alleged lover was 45-year-old New Jersey housewife and mom of two Ann Kelly, who the then 57-year-old supposedly had an affair with around 2006. (Bruce denied cheating and said in a statement posted on his website via NJ.com, “We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married.”)
“Ultimately Patti and Bruce are still very much in love — she really managed to tame him,” adds the source.
This story Patti Scialfa ‘Has the Last Word’ on Everything Involving Husband Bruce Springsteen: ‘He Worships Her’ first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
