Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet might just be the most amicable former spouses.
The rock star, aged 59, and Cosby Show alum, aged 56, who separated in 1993 after five years of marriage, continue to share an enduring connection. Lenny Kravitz shares in this week’s cover story about their heartfelt beginnings and the resilience of their love despite their parting.
“I am what I am because of our experience, because of everything that I was, everything that she was and everything that came together,” says Kravitz.
They initially crossed paths backstage at a New Edition concert in 1985, where sparks ignited. The actress, serving as both his partner and muse, played a pivotal role in inspiring his acclaimed debut album, Let Love Rule, along with the accompanying bohemian aesthetic.
“I had moved in with Lisa, brought my instruments and things, but somehow forgot my comb. I never planned on dreading, but after a few months my hair was matting,” he says of his signature locks. “Lisa was like, ‘Keep it. It looks good.’ ”
Kravitz once found himself in the actress’s shadow, earning the nickname “Mr. Bonet” from the press. However, the success of his initial two albums not only propelled him to stardom but also established him as a sex symbol.
“I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh, this is sexy.’ I was just living and doing,” he says. “I was married to the most beautiful woman on the planet, incredible inside and out, and I wasn’t paying attention to that. I was paying attention to the music.”
In 1988, they joyfully welcomed their daughter Zoë. Reflecting on that period, Kravitz expresses, “We were quite the family, with our own unique groove, expression, and fashion. It was a beautiful time— the world Zoë’s mom and I were creating, our family, centered around peace, love, and spirit.”
Those very themes serve as the inspiration for the star’s upcoming album, Blue Electric Light. Kravitz shares, “Again. Positive energy, God, spirit, light. This album embodies that.” He elaborates on the lead single “TK421,” mentioning, “the song is about elevating something, making it better than it is.”
Following the end of their marriage, which Kravitz attributed to emotional struggles and their youthful union, both he and Bonet dedicated themselves to preserving a resilient bond.
“The love doesn’t leave you, but it has to find a new way to funnel itself into a new life,” he says. “We consciously wanted to do that. It took time, believe me, but she is a part of my life that will never leave my heart, my soul or my spirit. I am what I am because of our experience.”