Who is Jeanne Marine? Wife of Bob Geldof was ‘tower of strength’ to his daughters

For nearly three decades, French actress Jeanne Marine has been the steadfast anchor in Bob Geldof’s tumultuous life, helping him navigate unimaginable losses while raising their blended family with quiet strength.

Their unlikely love story—born from a Paris dinner party in 1996—has defied language barriers, personal demons, and unthinkable grief.

Before becoming Geldof’s “soul saver,” Jeanne (born Lallemand) was a Parisian actress with minor roles, including a blink-and-miss part in Braveheart (1995). Mel Gibson dubbed her “The Mouse,” but Geldof saw a “staggering beauty” reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot when they first met in 1990. Six years later, friends orchestrated their reunion as Geldof reeled from his bitter divorce from Paula Yates.

“I was a ruined man,” Geldof confessed. “She didn’t speak English; I didn’t speak French. Yet this radiant woman chose me.”

Jeanne’s resilience was tested early. In 2000, Yates died of a heroin overdose, leaving behind Tiger Lily, her 4-year-old daughter with INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. Geldof and Jeanne adopted Tiger, shielding her from Hollywood’s glare.

“Tiger was raised with love and discipline,” said Yates’ biographer Gerry Agar. “Jeanne gave her stability—something Peaches tragically lacked.”

The family faced another devastating blow in 2014 when Peaches, 25, died of an overdose. The day after her funeral, Geldof proposed to Jeanne—a decision he called “letting air into a room suffocating with grief.”

They married in 2015 on a French Riviera beach, far from the Kent church tied to past weddings and funerals. Bono, Demi Moore, and Richard Branson witnessed their vows.

Now 73 and 59, the couple rarely appear publicly, but Geldof’s rare tributes reveal enduring passion:

• “After 25 years, she still electrifies me.”
• “She found something lovable in this broken man.”

Jeanne, equally devoted, once said: “He’s compassionate, charming—the most handsome man in the world.”