Joan Jett remains one of rock music's most enduring icons, but while her professional achievements are well-documented, her personal life has always been shrouded in mystery. The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, often called "The Godmother of Punk," has carefully guarded her private relationships throughout her decades-long career.
Who Has Joan Jett Dated? The Rumored Relationships
Despite her public persona, Joan Jett has been linked to several high-profile figures over the years. Tom Petersson, the bassist for Cheap Trick, reportedly dated Jett around 1976, though their romance was brief and neither party publicly discussed the relationship. Just two years later, in 1978, Jett was allegedly involved with English rocker Billy Idol, though details about their connection remain scarce and largely unconfirmed.
More recently, in 2006, Jett was spotted getting cozy with model and actress Carmen Electra, sparking rumors of a romantic relationship. The two were seen together on multiple occasions, but like her other alleged relationships, Jett never acknowledged the romance publicly. Electra, who legally changed her name from Tara Leigh Patrick in early 2024, also remained silent about their connection.
The Truth About Joan Jett's Sexuality
One of the most persistent questions about Joan Jett concerns her sexual orientation. Despite being considered a lesbian icon and having a massive LGBTQ+ fanbase, Jett has never explicitly confirmed or denied rumors about being gay or bisexual.
In a 1994 interview, when asked about her sexuality, Jett famously stated: "I'm not saying no, I'm not saying yes, I'm saying believe what you want. Assume away—go ahead." She has consistently maintained that she wants people to focus on her music rather than her personal life.
However, evidence suggests Jett may be more open about her identity than her words indicate. In 2018, when questioned about an LGBTQ+ film festival hesitating to show her documentary because she hadn't "come out," Jett pointed to her necklace featuring two labrys (double-headed axes, a lesbian symbol) inside two interlocking female symbols. She also revealed a similar tattoo on her lower back, suggesting an embrace of gay culture without using specific labels.
Joan Jett's Stance on Marriage and Children
Now 67 years old (born September 22, 1958), Joan Jett has never been married and has no children. She has openly discussed how difficult maintaining personal relationships can be while dedicating herself to music, which she describes as her "primary love."
Jett has resisted industry pressure on women to sacrifice careers for family, instead focusing intensely on her musical legacy. While she doesn't have biological children, she helped raise Carianne Brinkman, the daughter of her longtime collaborator Kenny Laguna, during the period she lived with the Laguna family in the early 1980s.
Professional Partnerships That Shaped Her Career
Jett's most significant long-term relationship has been professional rather than romantic. Her partnership with producer and songwriter Kenny Laguna began in the early 1980s and continues to this day. Together, they co-founded Blackheart Records in 1980 after 23 record labels rejected Jett's solo work following The Runaways' breakup.
The Laguna family—Kenny, his wife Meryl, and their daughter Carianne—became Jett's business partners and close friends. Despite speculation about a romantic involvement with Kenny, neither has ever confirmed such a relationship, and their bond has remained primarily professional and familial.
Jett continues to perform and record music, maintaining the energetic stage presence that made her famous. In 2025, she toured with Billy Idol and held a residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, proving that at 67, her passion for rock 'n' roll remains undiminished.
