James Hetfield appears to be dating a new woman, Adriana Gillett. Fans seem particularly interested to learn his age difference with his girlfriend.
The iconic Metallica frontman, James Hetfield, has opened a new chapter in his personal life. After splitting from Francesca Tomasi, his wife of 25 years, the musician seems to have moved on with a new partner. Who exactly is Adriana Gillett? And, how old is she? Let’s find out.
James Hetfield’s Girlfriend Adriana Gillett Is 45 Years Old
James Hetfield’s relationship with his new girlfriend Adriana Gillett isn’t as public as fans want it to be. They’ve kept their dating affairs mostly under wraps with only a few pictures surfacing online, giving fans a glimpse into his latest romantic journey.
The pictures show the couple looking super cozy and comfortable with each other, with one snapshot capturing them rocking matching white outfits on a beach. James and Adriana were hugging and smiling, and they couldn’t look more adorable together. Another shot shows the lovebirds on a night out looking really happy and celebrating what looks like Adriana’s birthday. You can totally sense the blissful vibe and the way James is glowing in those photos.
After the relationship became public, Adriana went private on social media. Fans who got to see their pictures online believe she has been a positive and supportive influence on James, something he has desperately needed after the rough patch of his divorce. The two recently appeared on the red carpet at the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize dinner in March. Regarding their age difference, Adriana appears to be in her 40s while James is 61. One Facebook commenter claimed he went to the same High School as Adriana and she is 45. If that’s the case, they share an age gap of 16 years.
In case you’re unfamiliar, James Hetfield is more than just the fierce frontman and rhythm guitarist of Metallica. Born on August 3, 1963, in Downey, California, he had a pretty rough childhood. His mother, Cynthia, was into opera singing, and his father, Virgil, drove trucks. Their marriage was not ideal to put it lightly, and James had to endure a lot of stuff as a kid. They ultimately divorced when he was 13. Three years later, his mom passed away from cancer when he was 16, and you could say it shaped him into the person he is today.
Despite all his struggles, James went on to co-found Metallica, one of the most iconic heavy metal bands in history. But behind the scenes, he’s always been a family guy. He married Francesca Tomasi in 1997, and welcomed three children together: Cali, Castor, and Marcella. Each of their kids picked up some of James’ passions—Cali plays piano and guitar, Castor is into drums, and Marcella’s an accomplished equestrian.
Moving on after such a long marriage is never easy, but it looks like James is finding joy again. Whether they’re hitting the beach or enjoying a night out, the two appear to be making the most of their time together. Even though their relationship is quite private, the little glimpses we get to witness show that James is embracing the new phase of his life with positivity more than anything else.
The Story of James Hetfield’s Ex-wife Francesca Tomasi
Francesca Hetfield, born Francesca Tomasi on January 27, 1970, in Rosario, Argentina, moved to the U.S. during her youth, eventually settling in Vail, Colorado. She pursued her passion for costume design, which paved the way for her to join Metallica in 1993 to design costumes for the band. This is how she crossed paths with James Hetfield.
Francesca and James began dating shortly after meeting, and after four years together, they tied the knot on August 7, 1997, overcoming the challenges of his touring lifestyle. The venue for the wedding is not publicly revealed, but it was likely in California or Colorado. They decided to move to Vail, Colorado, leaving Marin County behind to avoid neighbor drama and enjoy a quieter life that fit James’s interests in hunting and working on cars. The couple welcomed their first child, Cali Tee Hetfield, on June 13, 1998, followed by their son, Castor Virgil Hetfield, on May 18, 2000, and their youngest, Marcella Francesca Hetfield, on January 17, 2002.
Francesca provided huge support for James when he was struggling with alcohol addiction and anger issues, encouraging him to get professional help and enter rehab, and helping him get sober in 2002. Their marriage had its ups and downs, partly due to James’ ongoing struggles and public issues. After 25 years of marital relationship, they separated in August 2022, when James filed for a divorce, albeit the official announcement came later. Despite the split, they still keep in touch and stay active in their kids’ lives. Francesca keeps a low profile and stays off social media, choosing to live quietly in Vail, away from the spotlight.
