7 Women Who Inspired Ed Sheeran’s Biggest Hits (And His Unexpected 2025 Netflix Special)

Ed Sheeran’s love life, a journey from childhood crushes to finding his "Perfect" partner, is arguably the most analyzed aspect of his career next to his music. Every major album, from + (Plus) to ÷ (Divide), seems to contain a deeply personal track chronicling a new relationship or a painful breakup, making his dating history a treasure trove for fans and music critics alike.

As of December 12, 2025, the multi-Grammy-winning artist is happily married, but the curiosity surrounding the women who inspired global hits like "Don't" and "Thinking Out Loud" remains intense. This article delves into the confirmed and rumored relationships that shaped his discography, providing the most current and comprehensive look at the women who captured the heart of one of the world’s wealthiest musicians.

Ed Sheeran: The Singer-Songwriter’s Biography and Profile

Edward Christopher Sheeran is a globally recognized English singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. His personal life and professional success are inextricably linked, with his relationships often serving as the primary material for his chart-topping music.

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• Full Name: Edward Christopher Sheeran
• Date of Birth: February 17, 1991
• Place of Birth: Halifax, West Yorkshire, England
• Raised In: Framlingham, Suffolk
• Wife: Cherry Seaborn (m. 2019)
• Children: Two daughters (Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran and Jupiter Seaborn Sheeran)
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $350 Million
• Key Albums: + (Plus), × (Multiply), ÷ (Divide), = (Equals), - (Subtract)
• Latest Update: Starred in the Netflix concert special One Shot With Ed Sheeran, released in late November 2025.

The Confirmed Inspirations: Hits Written About These Women

Ed Sheeran has always been open about drawing inspiration from his personal life, giving fans a direct window into his romances. These three women are widely accepted as the muses behind some of his biggest, and most controversial, songs.

1. Cherry Seaborn: The Muse Behind "Perfect" (2015–Present)

Cherry Seaborn is Ed Sheeran's wife and the inspiration for his most famous romantic ballad, "Perfect." Their story is a true high school sweetheart romance, though their relationship didn't officially begin until years later.

• Relationship Timeline: Started dating in July 2015, became engaged in January 2018, and married in 2019.
• The Backstory: Ed and Cherry were childhood friends and attended Thomas Mills High School together in Framlingham, Suffolk. They reconnected in the U.S. in 2015 at a Fourth of July party hosted by Taylor Swift.
• Her Career: Cherry is a successful business consultant, holding a Master’s Degree in Management Studies from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She previously worked for the consulting firm Deloitte for nearly a decade.
• The Song: "Perfect" (2017) was written for Cherry. Ed has explained that the song was conceived after a night of drinking at James Blunt's house in Ibiza, where they were dancing barefoot on the lawn.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Childhood friend, Thomas Mills High School, Duke University, Deloitte, "Perfect," Taylor Swift, Ibiza, James Blunt.

2. Nina Nesbitt: The Subject of "Nina" and "Drunk" (2012)

Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt was one of Ed Sheeran's first public relationships after he achieved major success. Their romance was short-lived but musically fruitful for both artists.

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• Relationship Timeline: They dated for about a year in 2012 before splitting due to their busy schedules.
• The Backstory: Nina appeared in the music video for Ed's 2012 single "Drunk."
• The Songs: Ed wrote the song "Nina" for her, which appeared on his 2014 album × (Multiply). Nesbitt also wrote several songs about their relationship, including "Nosy Little Brother" and "Peroxide."
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Scottish singer-songwriter, "Nina," "Drunk" music video, × (Multiply) album, "Peroxide."

3. Ellie Goulding: The Alleged Focus of "Don't" (2013)

The brief and controversial fling with fellow British singer Ellie Goulding inspired one of Ed Sheeran’s most venomous tracks, "Don't."

• Relationship Timeline: They were linked briefly in 2013, famously holding hands at the MTV Video Music Awards.
• The Controversy: "Don't" details a betrayal where a celebrity girlfriend cheats on him with a friend in the same hotel. While Ed never explicitly named her, the media and fans widely speculated that the song was about Goulding cheating on him with One Direction's Niall Horan. Ellie Goulding has vehemently denied the cheating allegations, stating the rumors caused her significant distress.
• The Song: "Don't" (2014), a raw, hip-hop-influenced track from his × album, remains a fan favorite for its dramatic, true-life narrative.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: British singer, MTV VMA, "Don't," Niall Horan, cheating rumors, × album.

The Rumored Relationships and Hidden Muses

In the celebrity world, rumors often outpace reality. Ed Sheeran has been linked to several high-profile women, some of whom may have inspired other beloved songs, even if the relationships were never fully confirmed.

4. Athina Andrelos: The "Thinking Out Loud" Rumor (2014–2015)

Athina Andrelos, a former tour manager and girlfriend, was in a relationship with Ed Sheeran just before he reconnected with Cherry Seaborn.

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• The Rumor: Many fans believe that the iconic, slow-dance anthem "Thinking Out Loud" was written for Athina, as it was released during their relationship.
• The Split: The couple split in early 2015, reportedly after an incident at the BRIT Awards.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Tour manager, "Thinking Out Loud," BRIT Awards.

5. Nicole Scherzinger: The Brief Fling (2015)

Following his split from Athina, Ed Sheeran was rumored to have had a brief fling with former Pussycat Dolls singer and television personality Nicole Scherzinger.

• The Connection: The relationship reportedly occurred in 2015 after Nicole was heartbroken over her split from Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. The two were seen spending time together, but neither confirmed a serious relationship.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Pussycat Dolls, Lewis Hamilton, 2015 fling.

6. Courteney Cox: The Hollywood Roommate (2013)

Though never officially a romantic couple, Ed Sheeran lived with Friends actress Courteney Cox in her Malibu home rent-free for a period in 2013.

• The Backstory: Ed introduced Courteney to her now-fiancé, Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid. While their relationship was strictly platonic—Ed even admitted to giving her a leather bondage mask as a gift—the close proximity fueled media speculation.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Courteney Cox, Friends, Malibu, Johnny McDaid, Snow Patrol.

7. Alice: The First Serious Love (Pre-2012)

Before the global fame and the arena tours, there was Alice. Fans and biographers suggest Alice was Ed’s first serious relationship and the foundational muse for the emotional, early breakup songs on his debut album, + (Plus).

• The Significance: She is considered the inspiration for most of the early love and heartbreak songs, setting the template for his deeply personal songwriting style that defines his career.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: Alice, First love, + (Plus) album, Early EPs.

Ed Sheeran’s Current Status and 2025 Update

Ed Sheeran’s romantic life has settled into a comfortable, private stability with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. The couple, who are raising their two daughters, Lyra Antarctica and Jupiter, prioritize a life away from the Hollywood spotlight in Suffolk, England. Cherry's strength was highlighted in 2023 when Ed revealed she had been diagnosed with a tumor during her second pregnancy, a struggle documented in his 2023 Disney+ docuseries, The Sum of All Fears.

The latest update in his career, the November 2025 Netflix special One Shot With Ed Sheeran, shows a reflective, grounded artist. The unique one-hour special, filmed in a single take as he travels through New York City, captures his spontaneous nature and includes a heartwarming moment where he crashes a proposal. This return to a more intimate, unscripted format underscores the fact that while his past relationships inspired his most dramatic hits, his current happiness with Cherry Seaborn continues to inspire his most genuine and "Perfect" work.