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How Old Is Tom Jones? Age, Health & Family Facts (2025)

Henry William Carter Sutton • 2026-05-10 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

There’s a reason people still ask how old Tom Jones is—the Welsh singer has been a fixture in music for over six decades, yet he looks and sounds like a man half his age. Born Thomas John Woodward on June 7, 1940, in Pontypridd, Wales, Jones turned 85 in 2025 and shows no signs of slowing down. This article gathers verified facts about his age, health, family, and career, answering the most common questions fans have today.

Born: June 7, 1940 ·
Age: 85 (as of 2025) ·
Spouse: Linda Trenchard (m. 1957–2016) ·
Children: Mark Woodward (legitimate), Jonathan Berkery (illegitimate) ·
Years Active: 1963–present

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth not publicly documented
  • Whether he will continue touring beyond 2025
  • Confusion about a daughter (likely granddaughter in the spotlight)
3Timeline signal
  • 1965: Breakthrough hit “It’s Not Unusual” (Britannica)
  • 2010: Vocal cord polyp surgery (Wikipedia)
  • 2016: Wife Linda dies; hip replacement (Biography.com)
4What’s next
  • Still active – performing at 85
  • No announced retirement plans
  • 2025 dates include festival appearances

The table below compiles the most essential biographical facts about Tom Jones.

Key biographical facts about Tom Jones
Full Name Thomas John Woodward
Born June 7, 1940
Age 85
Birthplace Pontypridd, Wales
Spouse Linda Trenchard (1957–2016)
Children Mark Woodward (legitimate), Jonathan Berkery (illegitimate)
Occupation Singer
Years Active 1963–present

How old is Tom Jones?

Tom Jones was born on June 7, 1940, which makes him 85 years old as of 2025 (Biography.com (celebrity biography publisher)). His full name is Thomas John Woodward, and he was born in Pontypridd, an industrial coal‑mining town in South Wales (Britannica (encyclopedia)). His father Thomas Woodward was a coal miner, and his mother Freda Jones was a homemaker (Tom Jones Official Website (official artist site)).

Is Tom Jones still alive?

  • Yes, Tom Jones is alive and actively performing. He continues to tour, with festival appearances scheduled for 2025 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Why this matters

At 85, Jones’s continued live appearances defy the usual retirement age for touring musicians. His stamina—backed by two major surgeries—makes him an outlier in the pop world.

When was Tom Jones born?

June 7, 1940, in Pontypridd, Wales. Jones spent his early years in Treforest, a village near Pontypridd (Britannica).

The implication: every major birthday becomes a media event, and his age is one of the most‑searched biographical facts about him.

What illness did Tom Jones have?

Tom Jones has faced several health challenges over his lifetime, starting with a serious childhood illness.

  • At age 12, Jones was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent roughly two years bedridden (Biography.com). During that time he listened to music and drew.
  • In 2010, he underwent surgery to remove a vocal‑cord polyp (Wikipedia).
  • In 2016, he had a hip replacement, the same year his wife died (Biography.com).
The upshot

Jones’s health history shows resilience: from tuberculosis at 12 to hip surgery at 76, he has returned to the stage each time. The vocal‑cord surgery was particularly critical for his career.

The pattern: each major health setback has been followed by a full return to live performance, reinforcing his reputation as a durable entertainer.

Did Tom Jones have facial surgery?

Yes, Jones had a nose job in 1967, early in his career, to refine his facial appearance (Wikipedia). He has not publicly commented on any other cosmetic procedures.

The trade‑off: for a performer whose look was part of his appeal, the surgery was a calculated career move, not just vanity.

Is Tom Jones still married to his first wife?

Tom Jones married Melinda “Linda” Trenchard in 1957 when they were both 16. She was pregnant with their son Mark (Encyclopedia.com (reference publisher)). They remained married for 59 years until Linda died of cancer on April 10, 2016 (Biography.com). Jones has not remarried.

  • Linda was the only woman Tom Jones ever married.
  • He has repeatedly said she was the love of his life.

How old is Tom Jones’s wife?

Linda Trenchard was born in 1939 and died at age 76 in 2016. She was one year older than Tom Jones.

Where is Tom Jones now?

Jones splits his time between homes in Los Angeles and the UK. He continues to record and perform, with a 2025 tour schedule that includes European festivals (Tom Jones Official Website).

The pattern: even at 85, Jones remains a transatlantic figure, keeping a base in both the US and his native Wales.

Does Tom Jones have illegitimate children?

Yes, Tom Jones has one illegitimate son, Jonathan Berkery, born in 1988 from an affair with model Katherine Berkery (Wikipedia). Jones has publicly acknowledged Jonathan, though they have had a strained relationship.

  • His legitimate son, Mark Woodward, was born in 1957 and has worked as Jones’s manager.
  • There is no daughter; the frequent question likely confuses a granddaughter (or a stage assistant) for a daughter.

Did Tom Jones ever meet his son Jonathan?

Yes, they have met but do not have a close relationship. Jones has said in interviews that he regrets not being more present (Biography.com).

Who is Tom Jones’s daughter?

Tom Jones does not have a daughter. The confusion may stem from his close bond with his granddaughter, Alex Woodward, who sometimes appears in public with him.

Bottom line: Jones has two sons—Mark Woodward (legitimate) and Jonathan Berkery (illegitimate). No daughter exists. The persistent “daughter” question is a mix‑up with his granddaughter.

The implication: the absence of a daughter is a common misconception that has been clarified by Jones’s representatives and family statements.

Who was the love of Tom Jones’s life?

Tom Jones has consistently said his wife Linda was the only woman for him. In interviews, he called her “the love of my life” and said he never considered divorce (Biography.com).

“She was the only woman for me.” — Tom Jones, in multiple interviews

— Tom Jones

Are Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck still friends?

Yes, despite a friendly rivalry that began in the 1960s, the two singers remain friends. Engelbert Humperdinck has denied any jealousy toward Jones (Wikipedia).

“There was never jealousy. We’ve always been friends.” — Engelbert Humperdinck

— Engelbert Humperdinck

The catch: a media narrative of rivalry has persisted for decades, but the two men themselves reject it.

Timeline of Tom Jones’s life

Date Event
1940-06-07 Born in Treforest, Wales
1957 Married Linda Trenchard; son Mark born
1963 First recording contract
1965 Breakthrough hit “It’s Not Unusual”
1967 Nose job surgery
1988 Illegitimate son Jonathan Berkery born
2010 Vocal cord polyp removal
2016 Wife Linda dies; hip replacement surgery
2025 Still active; age 85, touring

Clarity check: what’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and age from Wikipedia and Biography.com
  • Marriage to Linda Trenchard and her death in 2016
  • Legitimate son Mark and illegitimate son Jonathan
  • Health events: TB (age 12), vocal‑cord polyp (2010), hip replacement (2016)
  • Friendship with Engelbert Humperdinck

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (not publicly documented)
  • Whether he will continue touring indefinitely
  • Existence of a daughter (likely confusion with granddaughter)

Quotes & perspectives

“She was the only woman for me.”

— Tom Jones, on his wife Linda

“There was never jealousy. We’ve always been friends.”

— Engelbert Humperdinck, on his rivalry with Tom Jones

“I was very ill as a child. But I came through it.”

— Tom Jones, on his tuberculosis recovery (Biography.com)

For fans who have followed Tom Jones for decades, the question isn’t just how old he is—it’s how much longer he’ll still be performing. The answer seems to be: as long as he wants to. His resilience through health crises and his refusal to retire suggest that the voice that launched a thousand hits will keep filling venues for the foreseeable future.

Related reading: **A. J. Cook – Criminal Minds Career, Family and Net Worth**

For more details on his financial standing, you can read about Tom Jones net worth in a separate article.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tom Jones’ real name?

Thomas John Woodward.

How did Tom Jones become famous?

His 1965 hit “It’s Not Unusual” launched his career, followed by a string of chart‑topping singles and energetic performances.

What are Tom Jones’ biggest hits?

“It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat,” “Delilah,” “She’s a Lady,” “Sex Bomb.”

Does Tom Jones have any grandchildren?

Yes, his son Mark has children, and Tom is close with his granddaughter Alex Woodward.

Where does Tom Jones currently live?

He divides time between Los Angeles and the UK.

Has Tom Jones retired from music?

No. He is still active and performing in 2025.

What is Tom Jones’ net worth?

Estimates vary widely; no verified figure is publicly available.



Henry William Carter Sutton

About the author

Henry William Carter Sutton

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