Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton and his wife, former model and photographer Pattie Boyd, have finalized their divorce after years of marital difficulties reportedly stemming from Clapton’s infidelity and struggles with substance abuse. The couple, whose tumultuous relationship was often in the public eye, has parted ways after nearly a decade of marriage.
Clapton and Boyd’s marriage was already the subject of public fascination, given the legendary love triangle involving Boyd’s former husband, George Harrison of The Beatles. Boyd was famously the muse for some of rock’s greatest love songs, including Harrison’s *“Something”* and Clapton’s *“Layla”* and *“Wonderful Tonight.”*
### Years of Marital Strain
The divorce comes as the culmination of long-standing issues in the couple’s relationship, many of which were rooted in Clapton’s battle with alcoholism and drug addiction. Though Clapton has been open about his struggles in the past, these issues, paired with his extramarital affairs, created a strain on his marriage to Boyd.
It’s been reported that Boyd, who stood by Clapton during his bouts of addiction, eventually reached a breaking point as the relationship became unsustainable. Sources close to the couple have suggested that while Boyd remained committed to their marriage for many years, the emotional toll of Clapton’s behavior, including his affair with Italian model Lory Del Santo in the late 1970s, became too much to bear.
### Clapton’s Infidelity
Clapton’s affair with Del Santo, which led to the birth of their son Conor in 1986, was a turning point in his marriage with Boyd. The pain caused by the infidelity was well-documented, with Boyd admitting in her 2007 autobiography *“Wonderful Today”* that it was one of the most difficult experiences of her life.
Despite efforts to repair their relationship, the emotional scars proved too deep, and the couple’s divorce has now been officially finalized. Clapton’s ongoing challenges with sobriety and maintaining his personal life in the face of stardom further complicated their ability to move forward as a couple.
### A Legendary Love Story Ends
Clapton and Boyd’s relationship, which began in the late 1960s, was one of the most iconic and discussed romances in rock history. Boyd, known for her beauty and influence in the music world, inspired some of Clapton’s greatest works, including the classic *“Layla”*, which Clapton wrote during his early infatuation with her while she was still married to George Harrison.
The love triangle between Clapton, Boyd, and Harrison captivated the public, with Clapton famously “winning” Boyd’s heart after years of pursuing her. The couple married in 1979, but the challenges they faced in the years that followed were too much to overcome.
### Moving Forward
Both Clapton and Boyd have maintained relatively low profiles in recent years, with Boyd continuing her work as a photographer and author, while Clapton remains active in the music industry.
In a brief statement, Clapton expressed regret over the end of the marriage, acknowledging that his personal demons had played a significant role in their downfall. “I will always care deeply for Pattie, but I understand why this has happened. I wasn’t the husband she deserved.”
Boyd, for her part, has remained gracious and private about the divorce, though she has expressed relief at finding closure. “Eric and I shared a lot of history, and I will always wish him well, but it’s time for both of us to move on.”
Despite the end of their marriage, Boyd’s impact on Clapton’s career—and rock history—is undeniable. As the muse behind some of the most iconic songs of the 20th century, her influence on music remains as significant as ever.
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