Debbie Harry on Dating and Life Approaching 80
Debbie Harry isn't just the ice-blonde voice behind Blondie—she’s also living proof that punk attitude doesn't have an expiration date. With her 80th birthday approaching next year, Harry is surprisingly open about relationship status, aging, and that complicated thing called dating. She’s candid, witty, and maybe a little cautious, but she’s not letting age dictate her next moves.
Harry's history is legendary. Back in the day, her relationship with Blondie co-founder Chris Stein was one of rock’s most famous pairings. They survived an era of wild success, band breakups, and even financial crises, including an unwelcome visit from the IRS. After Blondie's initial split in the early '80s and some tough years, Stein moved on to start a family. Harry, on the other hand, chose a different path—marriage and children never called out to her. Looking back, she acknowledges those hard times with a sense of peace. No regrets, just lessons learned and an easy acceptance of how things played out.
The topic of romance, however, still stirs a flicker of curiosity in her. At 79, Harry admits that she thinks about dating but feels uncertain about how realistic a new romantic chapter could be. She’s never dabbled in online dating, believing that sparks can't quite be swiped into existence. Yet even Harry isn't immune to a little peer pressure in the digital age—a friend convinced her to take a chance and sign up for Raya, the exclusive app for creative types and celebrities. Has she become a swiping addict just yet? Not really, but she’s open to seeing where it leads. “I’m definitely not so adventurous as I was,” she laughs, still open to surprises, if a bit more cautious than her younger self.
Band Bonds, Creative Drive, and the Upside of Aging
Getting older doesn't scare Debbie Harry. If anything, she embraces it. She doesn’t obsess over the looming milestone—she simply sees it as another number, colored by the collection of memories and wild experiences that got her here. “That’s the beauty of aging—you know what it’s about,” she says, giving a nod to the wisdom that comes with years in the spotlight.
But don’t think for a minute she’s putting her feet up. Blondie is revving up for another big moment—their first full-length album since 2017’s Pollinator is set for release in 2025. Harry credits much of her creative longevity to the unique chemistry within the band. She compares their relationships to a marriage—full of challenges, but ultimately built on deep gratitude and respect. The connection she shares with Chris Stein and the late Clem Burke is more than just professional. It’s a bond that’s weathered decades, legal battles, and late-night gigs with all the joy and conflict that go with true companionship.
Harry doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of her story. She’s weathered losing her Manhattan home to the IRS and felt the sting of band drama, but she’s come out resilient—using every setback as a step forward. These days, she’s grateful for the tough lessons and the freedom that comes from knowing exactly who she is.
So, as Debbie Harry edges closer to her 80th, she’s still curious—about love, about music, and about whatever comes next. If punk rock is about living life on your terms, she's still got the beat.