Tom Jones only had one true love in his lifetime—his wife, Linda Trenchard. However, the famous singer had countless affairs with women. Jones was Trenchard’s happiness and source of strength until her death. Sadly, Jones blamed himself for her passing and broke some vows he made before she died.
Tom Jones, born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, South Wales, was barely a teenager when he first fell in love with Melinda Trenchard. At the time, he was still a young boy recovering from tuberculosis, a disease that kept him at home for two years.
While confined to his room, Jones only had Trenchard in his mind. He recalled wondering where she could be and the activities that kept her busy. He didn’t make contact with anyone but his doctor and tutor, but he occupied himself with thoughts of Trenchard.
When he recovered, Jones pursued Trenchard, and they fell in love. At age 15, he left school and worked as an apprentice glove cutter. Although his job did not fascinate him, Jones was happy being in love with someone he described as “a shy, pretty girl from 3 Cliff Terrace.”
When he was younger, a gypsy told his mother that Jones would one day travel the world. Although his mother believed the woman, she didn’t think her son would become a world-renowned singer.
It didn’t take long before Jones and Trenchard decided to tie the knot at 16 when she was already eight months pregnant. The couple had their wedding in March 1957 at the Pontypridd register office.
Although still young, they expanded their family and welcomed a son, Mark Woodward, a month later. “I was working on the night shift when she went into labor,” Jones recalled. “Holding our son, Mark, for the first time was overwhelming.”
At the time, Jones was yet to pursue a career as a singer. He worked regular jobs to make ends meet until his wife encouraged him to pursue entertainment.
When he was younger, a gypsy told his mother that he would one day travel the world. Although his mother believed the woman, she didn’t think her son would become a world-renowned singer for several decades.
Jones only started gaining fame in 1965 after releasing his hit song, “It’s Not Unusual.” However, his talent began at a young age. Jones would stand on a chair in front of his relatives and sing to the tunes played on the radio.
Trenchard rarely attended her husband’s concerts and preferred to stay home. Because of the big lie to sell Jones, Linda’s insecurities heightened.
When Jones’ career took off, his wife showed her unwavering support. However, they did not always live in marital bliss while he made a name for himself. Still, they remained married until the end of Trenchard’s life.
Trenchard adored her husband and felt alive whenever she saw him come home, regardless of the time. Throughout their ups and downs, she stood by her husband.
As he started his career, Jones’ manager introduced him to the world as a 22-year-old single singer. In truth, he was 24, married, and already a father to a seven-year-old boy.
Trenchard rarely attended her husband’s concerts and preferred to stay home. Because of the big lie to sell Jones, Linda’s insecurities heightened. Jo Mills, the wife of Jones’ manager, said:
“I think from the very beginning, Linda was made to feel as if she mustn’t exist in his life. It is sad because she is a lovely person, very warm, and if only she got that confidence initially, she would have been very different.”
Jones’ career became a whirlwind of success, thanks to his wife, who pushed him to pursue a music career. He sang several great hits, including “Green Green Grass of Home,” and even became good friends with Elvis Presley. He was also close to the King of Rock’s wife, Priscilla, and was rumored to have had an affair with her.
Along with his fame came many women throwing themselves at him, and unfortunately, Jones couldn’t resist the temptation. On average, he slept with up to 250 women in a year but admittedly “never kept count.”
His infidelity was no secret backstage and amongst his crew. During tours, he would have two dressing rooms, one used to entertain friends and the other to entertain groupies. He had affairs with all kinds of women, from 21-year-old lap dancers to fellow singers, including Mary Wilson of The Supremes.
Unfortunately, Jonathan grew up without much guidance. He involved himself with drugs and became a homeless gun-carrying dealer.
His relationship with beauty queen Marjorie Wallace became publicized when press members photographed them together in Las Vegas and Barbados. As Trenchard was about to find out about his extramarital romance, Jones immediately left Wallace.
Wallace was already in love with Jones then and had difficulty in his exit from her life. Despite his many affairs, Jones always went home to his wife. The singer’s heart only had space for Trenchard regardless of the many women he slept with. He said:
“She’s the most important thing in my life. All the rest is fun and games.”
Jones also once told his publicist, “It’s Linda that I truly love.” Soon, Jones’ romances would circulate amongst the media, but his wife stood by him. “I believe him absolutely,” she said. “Nothing that these women throw at him will ever destroy that love.”
Sadly, Trenchard was humiliated when her husband fathered a child, Jonathan Berkery, with model Katherine Berkery. A DNA test also verified that he was the dad. Jones paid monthly child support but never met nor acknowledged his son with Berkery.
Jonathan never got to know his father, as Jones wasn’t interested in forming a relationship. Unfortunately, Jonathan grew up without much guidance. He involved himself with drugs and became a homeless gun-carrying dealer.
Although Trenchard survived her bout with colon cancer, she was later diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. In 2016, Jones canceled all of his tours to be by his dying wife’s side.
He blamed his father for how his life turned out and said he was an angry kid needing a dad. Still, Jonathan longed to one day reunite with his father before it was too late.
Jones didn’t stop his vices, and the more he continued, the more his well-publicized infidelities circulated. As he traveled the world, his wife stayed in their Los Angeles home. According to the artist, his wife was “shy” and “reclusive,” so she would rather stay home. He also admitted that it ran in her family.
The singer called his marriage solid, regardless. He always made it appear that he and Trenchard’s love was unshaken, and they would often talk while he was away.
Why Did Tom Jones Blame Himself for His Wife’s Death?
As time passed, Jones opened up more about his wife and her longstanding battle with depression. He revealed that she had “let herself go” and “lost her spark.” Instead of putting herself out there, she would hide in their residence and smoke heavily. She had developed a fear of going out and being talked about.
Trenchard was diagnosed with cancer twice before her terminal diagnosis. One of those illnesses was a deadly battle with colon cancer. After learning of his wife’s diagnosis, Jones vowed to his son that he would no longer sing if Trenchard died. “We’d better make sure she survives then,” Mark replied.
Although Trenchard survived her bout with colon cancer, she was later diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. In 2016, Jones canceled all of his tours to be by his dying wife’s side. She knew the end was near but still maintained her calmness. Trenchard died on April 10, 2016, in Cedars Sinai Hospital. She was 75.
Jones blamed himself for what happened to his wife and often wondered if he could have done something more to lengthen her life, such as forcing her to seek professional help when she refused.
Despite being apart on tours, he and his wife remained connected, as they have been since they were 16. Because they have been together for decades, Jones did not know a world without Trenchard.
Trenchard’s passing took a toll on Jones, who sought help from a therapist to start singing again. Fortunately, the medical professional helped him realize that he could have done nothing to stop an aggressive form of cancer from taking Trenchard.
Four weeks after her passing, Jones broke his vow and returned on tour with two engagements at Hampton Court Palace in Richmond. He credited his wife for helping him get through his schedules, noting that he felt her presence through and through.
In 2019, Jones revealed that he might never cover Bob Dylan’s song “What Good Am I?” after singing it several times. After reading the lyrics, he always asked himself if he was partly responsible for Trenchard’s death.
In recent years, Jones sang “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall” in memory of his wife during an episode of “The Voice.” He recalled telling her that he could usually fix things when she needed him to. However, it was different when she was battling lung cancer.
Jones resonated with the song’s lyrics when he heard “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall” for the first time. Although his wife didn’t use the word crumble, she said, “Don’t fall with me. That’s what you’ve got to do. You’ve got to go forward and keep doing it.”
When Trenchard passed away, Jones believed his life was over. Despite being apart on tours, he and his wife remained connected, as they have been since they were 16. Because they have been together for decades, Jones did not know a world without Trenchard. “Part of me died with her then,” he said.
Following Trenchard’s death, Jones vowed never to love again because his wife was the only love of his life. She was his first love and his last love. Although he was grateful to have family and friends surround him, he often wished his wife was still alive and they could grow old together.
Jones sold their Los Angeles home as he couldn’t bear staying there without seeing her. Trenchard had decorated their residence and left bits and pieces of herself everywhere. When the couple purchased the home, Trenchard made it look like their Britain house.
The mansion had two kitchens and was kept organized by their helper and butler. When the house staff was absent, Jones needed help finding things. Trenchard was also a significant key to their put-together home, and without her presence, Jones felt uncomfortable.
Trenchard also asked her husband to return to Britain during her last days. At present, he lives in London to follow her dying wish. Jones is also a proud grandfather to two grandkids, Alex and Emma.
In 2017, Tom Jones underwent hip replacement surgery, leaving him needing a cane during the recovery. Fortunately, everything turned out well.
Music has become an even more critical part of his life as he continues to cope with the loss of his wife. In fact, the singer claimed that music saved his life.
Jones’ career has spanned over half a century, in which he made 36 Top 40 hits and sold over 100 million records. Some of his greatest hits include “She’s A Lady,” “It’s Not Unusual,” and “Green Green Grass of Home.”
He also has several accolades, including Grammy, Brit, and Ivor Novello awards, to name a few. The Queen knighted him in 2005 for his music, and Jones also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2017, Tom Jones underwent hip replacement surgery, leaving him needing a cane during the recovery. Fortunately, everything turned out well, and the singer only needed little support during some segments of his show. He takes things one day at a time and continues to carry his legacy in music.
