Iman Honors David Bowie on 10th Anniversary of His Death

Iman is honoring the memory of her late husband, David Bowie, with a new tattoo marking the 10th anniversary of his death.

On Saturday (Jan. 10), the model and fashion icon shared a sentimental Instagram post revealing the fresh ink, which she described as a lasting tribute to the musician, who died in 2016 at age 69.

Posting a video of the tattoo process on her arm, Iman wrote in the caption, “Jan 10th. The pain didn’t vanish .. it left in its place a loving permanent mark,” adding the hashtag #BowieForever.

The post was set to Bowie’s song “Subterraneans,” a track from his 1977 album Low. While Iman did not specify the design’s exact meaning, the message framed the tattoo as both an act of remembrance and a symbol of enduring love.

Bowie died on Jan. 10, 2016, following a private 18-month battle with cancer. At the time, a statement shared on his official Facebook page confirmed that he had “died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer,” and asked fans to respect the family’s privacy during their grief.

Iman and Bowie met in 1990 after being set up on a blind date and married two years later in 1992. The couple welcomed their daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones, in August 2000. Over the years, Iman has spoken openly about the depth of her relationship with Bowie and the way she continues to carry him with her.

In a 2021 interview with People, Iman reflected on how she views their marriage in the years since his passing.

“I still feel married,” she said. “Someone a few years ago referred to David as my late husband, and I said, ‘No, he’s not my late husband. He’s my husband.’ Through my memory, my love lives.”

Earlier this week, Iman also marked what would have been Bowie’s 79th birthday with another Instagram tribute, sharing a black-and-white photo of the artist alongside the caption, “Happy Heavenly Birthday. Your light burns so bright in all our hearts! We love and miss you.”

Alexandria Zahra Jones, now 25, also honored her father on social media, posting throwback photos and writing, “Da big 79 today. Happy birthday pops, miss ya!”