David Bowie: Biography, Death, and Lesser-Known Facts

Few artists have reshaped pop culture as quietly yet permanently as David Bowie did — he changed the rules of music, fashion, and identity without ever explaining himself. Decades after his final bow, questions about his eyes, teeth, and love life still surprise fans, and this article brings together verified facts to answer them.

Born: 8 January 1947 · Died: 10 January 2016 · Cause of death: Liver cancer · Years active: 1964–2016 · Spouse: Iman (1992–2016) · Children: 2

Seven key facts, one pattern: the details behind Bowie’s public image often surprise even longtime fans.

What is David Bowie’s cause of death?

Bowie died of liver cancer on 10 January 2016 in New York City, at age 69, according to Wikipedia (comprehensive biography). He had been diagnosed about 18 months earlier but chose not to make the condition public. The news of his death shocked the world – many had no idea he was ill.

What did David Bowie say before he died?

• Reports claim his last words were “Look up there, that’s the sky” – but this has never been confirmed by a primary source.
• His death was peaceful, according to family statements reported by AOL (news coverage).

The implication: the mystery around his final moments only deepens the fascination with his life.

Was Bowie sober when he died?

• Yes. Bowie had been sober for the last decade of his life after struggling with cocaine addiction in the 1970s and 1980s.
• In a 2002 interview with Blender, he stated he had not used drugs in years.

Why this matters: his creative output in the final years – including the album Blackstar – came from a clean and focused artist.

When did David Bowie come out?

Bowie came out as gay in a 1972 interview with Melody Maker, telling the magazine “I’m gay and always have been.” This is documented by Wikipedia (biography section on sexuality). Later he described himself as bisexual, noting that his attraction was not fixed.

Did David Bowie have male partners?

• He had relationships with both men and women. Among his reported male partners was Mick Jagger, though neither publicly confirmed the nature of their relationship.
• Bowie’s fluid approach to sexuality was groundbreaking for a mainstream rock star in the early 1970s.

The pattern: Bowie’s sexuality was not a fixed label but a public declaration that evolved, challenging societal norms at every stage.

Who was the love of David Bowie’s life?

Bowie married Somali-American supermodel Iman in 1992, and he repeatedly called her the love of his life. The marriage lasted until his death – a rare constant in his personal story. According to WRAL/CNN fast facts, the couple had one daughter, Alexandria. Iman later said in an interview that “he was the love of my life.”

“He was the love of my life.”

Iman, in an interview on the Tamron Hall Show (YouTube clip)

The catch: Bowie’s public persona was built on reinvention and distance, but in private he maintained a stable, long-term marriage – the antithesis of the androgynous, alien character he played on stage.

Why did David Bowie have such yellow teeth?

Bowie’s noticeably yellowed teeth were a topic of constant curiosity. While no definitive medical record exists, the most common explanations include heavy smoking (he was a lifelong smoker) and possible tetracycline staining from childhood antibiotics. Some dentists suggest the discoloration was a side effect of medication he took as a child. The cause remains speculative – there is no primary source that confirms one reason.

The trade-off: what fans saw as an imperfection became part of his distinctive look, adding to the mystique.

The implication: his yellow teeth, whether from smoking or medication, became an unintentional element of his iconic image.

What disability did David Bowie have?

Bowie had anisocoria – a condition where the pupils are of unequal size. In his case, the left pupil was permanently dilated. This was caused when he got into a fistfight with George Underwood in 1962 over a girl they both wanted to date. The injury left him with faulty depth perception. The condition is well-documented by The Conversation (medical analysis) and even studied in a peer-reviewed PubMed article (ophthalmology).

The implication: what many assumed was a bold cosmetic choice was actually a lifelong medical condition – and Bowie never tried to hide it.

The consequence of Bowie’s fiercely private approach to his health and personal life is that, even years after his death, fans are still piecing together the real story behind the legend. For music lovers and biographers alike, the decision is clear: either accept the gaps and focus on his art, or keep searching for the last word. Bowie, true to form, left us with neither.

For a closer look at the tracks that defined his career, explore David Bowies most famous songs.

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