Gloria Gaynor’s story isn’t just about her meteoric rise in the disco era; it’s also about the deeply personal struggles she has faced, including her marriage to Linwood Simon and her journey through life without children. Her relationship with Simon was both a love story and a business partnership, beginning with an instant attraction and ending in what she described as a liberating divorce.
They met in the mid-1970s through his sisters, who were background singers for Gloria Gaynor. At the time, Simon was a New York Transit Police Officer. One day, while looking at photos, Gaynor saw an image of him and boldly declared she would marry him. A few months later, they met in person, and their connection was immediate. On October 9, 1979, just six months after she underwent spine surgery, they exchanged vows and settled into their life together in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.
Who Was Gloria Gaynor’s Ex-Husband, Linwood Simon? She Never Had Children With Him
Gloria Gaynor’s marriage with her husband, Linwood Simon, was not just a personal bond but also a professional one. Gaynor, impressed by Simon’s business acumen, asked him to become her manager. For years, he played a central role in handling her career, ensuring that she remained relevant in the music industry. But over time, cracks began to form.
In interviews, Gaynor has openly discussed Simon’s infidelities and the struggles that plagued their relationship. She alleged that he was unfaithful for years and eventually fell into drug addiction. But perhaps the most defining moment that led her to seek divorce came when she suffered from a debilitating migraine. She recalled experiencing an excruciating headache for the second time in just a few weeks, and when she turned to Simon for help, his indifference stunned her. That was the moment she knew she had to leave.
Faith played a crucial role in her decision to end the marriage. Having reconnected with her spirituality in the 1980s, she found the strength to walk away from what she described as an emotionally unbalanced relationship. On June 24, 2004, at the age of 65, Gloria Gaynor officially filed for divorce, which was finalized the following year.
The settlement saw her retaining their house and all royalties from her pre-marital work, while Simon took ownership of their “Big Fish Farm” in Brazil. Following the divorce, Simon faded from the music industry, retreating into a life away from the public eye. Gaynor, on the other hand, found a renewed sense of independence and continued to thrive professionally, winning a Grammy in 2020 for her gospel album, Testimony.
While her marriage ended, another aspect of her life that remained unresolved was her desire for children. Gloria Gaynor has spoken candidly about always wanting to be a mother. She was the only one among her siblings who truly longed for children, yet she was the only one who never had them. She has said that Simon did not share her desire to start a family, and since she had committed to the marriage, she accepted his wishes.
Adoption was something she considered, but Simon was against it, making it clear that it was never going to be a possibility. In retrospect, she has found peace with the fact that she never had children, acknowledging that she wouldn’t have wanted to raise them in a broken home.
#WillSurvive: #TheGloriaGaynorStory premieres Saturday, February 8th at 8/7c only on @lifetimetv. pic.twitter.com/wugDa0AG4T
— Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) January 14, 2025
Instead, she poured her love into her extended family. She shares a deep bond with her nieces and nephews, and her affection for children has driven her to become involved in various charitable efforts. She has supported pediatric hospitals and worked with organizations that help absentee fathers understand the importance of being present in their children’s lives. Having grown up without a father herself, she knows firsthand the impact of parental absence. In 2024, she announced her intention to advocate for abandoned daughters, hoping to use her platform to shed light on the struggles of young girls growing up without paternal support.
Now in her eighties, Gloria Gaynor reflects on her life with a sense of fulfillment. Though she once longed for children and an enduring romantic partnership, she has made peace with the life she has built. In a 2024 interview, she admitted that while she enjoys the company of men and has many male friends, she hasn’t found a romantic connection that compels her to start dating again. Her focus remains on her career, her faith, and the causes she believes in.
Gaynor stands as a symbol of anything but frailty, not only because of her legendary anthem I Will Survive but because of how she has lived its message. She has endured heartbreak, disappointment, and personal loss, but through it all, she has thrived, proving that survival is about more than just enduring—it’s about finding joy, purpose, and meaning in the life you’ve been given.
Robin Roberts Presents I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story released on Lifetime on February 8, 2025.
