Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts’ wife Shirley dies at 82 following short illness – 16 months after rocker’s passing

THE wife of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died – 16 months after his passing.

Shirley Watts was married to the rock star for 57 years until his death from cancer last year.

Their family said in a statement Shirley, 82, died on Friday after suffering a short illness.

They said: “It is with great sadness that Seraphina, Charlotte and Barry announce the death of their much-loved mother, grandmother and mother-in law Shirley Watts.

“Shirley died peacefully on Friday, December 16 in Devon after a short illness surrounded by her family.

“She will be also sadly missed by her sisters Jackie and Jill, and her brother Stephen. Reunited now forever with her beloved Charlie.”

Born Shirley Ann Shepherd, she studied sculpture at the Royal College of Art.

While there, she met Charlie, who was then a graphic designer and part-time jazz musician, and the couple married three years later in 1964.

Four years later Shirley gave birth to their daughter, Seraphina, and they moved to Devon eventually where she ran a world-class Arabian stud farm.

Shirley went on to become highly respected as a breeder and showman in the International Arabian horse community.

Throughout her long marriage to the Rolling Stones drummer, Shirley remained the love of his life.

Charlie often said that he was glad to have met Shirley before stardom – and that he regularly turned down sex with groupies to stay loyal to his wife.

Speaking out about his successful marriage in the past, Charlie credited the fact that he was “not really a rock star” and only wanted to make music.

Shirley was also an accomplished sculptor and a huge supporter of animal rescue.

It comes after Charlie died suddenly aged 80 on August 24 last year.

The star had pulled out of the band’s No Filter tour in the US at short notice days earlier after a heart op.

It was understood he left his fortune of around £30million to his widow.

Charlie had played with the Stones since 1963 and appeared on every album.