The Shocking Truth About How Long Tommy Lee And Heather Locklear Were Married (And Why His Current Wife Calls Her 'The One That Got Away')

The iconic, whirlwind marriage between Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee and actress Heather Locklear remains one of Hollywood's most fascinating and frequently discussed rock-and-roll romances. Despite the intense public scrutiny and their seemingly opposite personas—the notorious rock star and the America's Sweetheart TV actress—their union defined a generation's celebrity power couple. As of the current date in late 2025, the details of their relationship are once again making headlines, not just for their past, but for surprising revelations from Tommy Lee's current spouse.

The short answer to the question of "how long were Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear married" is seven years. The couple tied the knot on May 10, 1986, and their divorce was finalized in 1993. However, the simple duration of the marriage does not capture the full, dramatic story of their volatile love, the reason for the split, or the surprisingly friendly relationship they maintain today, decades later.

Heather Locklear and Tommy Lee: A Biography of a Power Couple

To fully understand the context of their seven-year marriage, it is essential to look at the profiles of the two individuals who came together to create an '80s phenomenon.

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Heather Locklear Profile

• Full Name: Heather Deen Locklear
• Born: September 25, 1961 (Age 64 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress, Model
• Known For: Her iconic roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T. J. Hooker, Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place, and Caitlin Moore on Spin City.
• Marital History: Tommy Lee (m. 1986; div. 1993); Richie Sambora (m. 1994; div. 2007). She was previously engaged to Chris Heisser.

Tommy Lee Profile

• Full Name: Thomas Lee Bass
• Born: October 3, 1962 (Age 63 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Athens, Greece
• Occupation: Musician, Drummer, Founding Member of Mötley Crüe
• Known For: His wild stage antics, being the drummer for the legendary heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, and his highly publicized marriages.
• Marital History: Elaine Starchuk (m. 1984; div. 1985); Heather Locklear (m. 1986; div. 1993); Pamela Anderson (m. 1995; div. 1998); Brittany Furlan (m. 2019–present, though recent rumors of a split have surfaced).

The Whirlwind Romance and the Seven-Year Marriage

The coupling of the clean-cut television star and the notoriously wild rock drummer seemed improbable to many at the time. Their romance was a true whirlwind, beginning in 1985 when Locklear attended an REO Speedwagon concert and met Lee backstage. Just three months later, they were engaged, and on May 10, 1986, they married in a lavish ceremony in Santa Barbara, California.

Their wedding was a spectacle that perfectly blended their two worlds: Locklear in a traditional white gown and Lee in a white leather tuxedo. They quickly became the quintessential 1980s power couple, frequently photographed together on red carpets and at Hollywood events. Their relationship was often compared to an 'us against the world' narrative, as many onlookers doubted the longevity of the pairing.

For seven years, the couple navigated the explosive fame of Mötley Crüe and the high-profile success of Locklear’s television career, including her work on Dynasty and T. J. Hooker. They were seen as a rare example of a successful crossover between the worlds of rock music and mainstream Hollywood television.

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The Painful End and the Real Reason for Divorce

In 1993, the marriage came to an end. Heather Locklear filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The underlying reason, which has been widely reported and acknowledged, was Tommy Lee's infidelity.

Locklear has described the period surrounding the split as a "painful time." Despite the heartbreak, the divorce paved the way for both stars to move on to other high-profile relationships. Locklear married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora in 1994, with whom she had her only child, Ava Sambora. Tommy Lee, meanwhile, famously married actress and model Pamela Anderson in 1995, just days after meeting her.

The narrative of the split—the rock star's cheating leading to the end of a seemingly perfect marriage—became a cautionary tale in celebrity circles, further cementing their place in pop culture history. Tommy Lee himself has since admitted to messing things up with the Spin City alum by cheating.

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The Shocking Current Relationship Status: 'The One That Got Away'

What makes the Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear story so compelling today, over three decades after their marriage began, is the surprising and amicable relationship they maintain.

The most significant and recent update comes from Tommy Lee’s current wife, social media personality Brittany Furlan. In 2023, Furlan made a shocking public statement that completely reframed the narrative of Lee's love life, which is often dominated by his marriage to Pamela Anderson.

Furlan revealed that, in her opinion, Heather Locklear—not Pamela Anderson—was the "one that got away" and the true "love of his life." She elaborated, stating, "Everyone glorifies his relationship with Pam, but he was married to Heather for [nearly] eight years! She was the one that got away."

This revelation provides incredible topical authority and a fresh, unique angle on their history. It suggests that, despite the infidelity, the depth of Lee's connection to Locklear was profound and lasting. Furthermore, Furlan stated that she and Locklear are "very close" and have developed a friendship, a rare occurrence for a man's current and ex-wives.

Even Locklear herself still acknowledges the significance of their union. She has previously posted a throwback kissing photo of her and Lee on their May 10th anniversary date, captioning it simply with "Happy 30 years baby."

Recent Reunion Rumors and Sobriety Concerns (2024-2025)

In a further twist, as of late 2024 and into 2025, rumors of a potential romantic reunion between the former couple have surfaced. These whispers began after reports that Locklear had ended her engagement to high school sweetheart Chris Heisser and that Lee was experiencing marital issues with Furlan.

Some media outlets have suggested that the two stars have been "reuniting" following their respective toxic break-ups. However, friends of both parties have reportedly expressed concern that a romantic reunion could "derail Locklear's hard-won sobriety," adding a serious and dramatic layer to the speculation. While a full-blown romantic reconciliation remains unconfirmed, the mere possibility, fueled by their mutual single status and Furlan's comments, shows that the connection between Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear is still very much alive and captivating the public.

Ultimately, while the marriage of Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear lasted for seven years, its legacy—as a symbol of '80s excess, a testament to a deep, enduring bond, and a source of current celebrity intrigue—continues to evolve and fascinate fans today.