Few rock careers come with as many twists as Phil Collins’s. After decades of sold-out tours, health setbacks, and personal dramas, the former Genesis frontman now lives quietly in Switzerland, telling the BBC in January 2026 he is ‘totally mobile and healthy’ but still requires around-the-clock care.

Age: 74 (born January 30, 1951) · Net worth: Estimated $300 million · Health diagnosis: Chronic back and nerve issues (drop foot, sciatica) – improved after surgeries · Current residence: Switzerland · Relationtrip: Separated from Oriana Cevey (as of 2025) · Recent public statement: Described himself as ‘totally mobile and healthy’ in January 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he will ever perform live again (Louder Sound, a music news site)
  • Exact details of his divorce settlement with Oriana Cevey (People)
  • His current relationship status (no confirmed partner as of 2026) (Cleveland.com, a regional news site)
  • Future music releases beyond archival re‑issues (Rayo)
3Timeline signal
  • 1980: Divorce from first wife Andrea Bertorelli (Rayo)
  • 2016: Drop foot begins; requires cane (People)
  • 2022: Retires from touring after final Genesis show (Cleveland.com)
  • January 2026: Reports being “totally mobile and healthy” after surgeries (Rayo)
4What’s next
  • No new tour planned (Louder Sound)
  • Documentary and re‑release of earlier work in development (Rayo)
  • Continues physiotherapy three times a week (Louder Sound)
  • May 2026 quote: “I’m healthier now” but not ruling out new music (Rayo)

Seven key data points frame Phil Collins’s life and career as of early 2026.

Field Value
Full name Philip David Charles Collins
Born January 30, 1951 (age 74)
Occupation Musician, singer, songwriter, drummer, actor
Best known for Solo hits (‘In the Air Tonight’, ‘Against All Odds’) and Genesis
Current health status Reports being ‘totally mobile’ after nerve surgeries (January 2026)
Residence Begnins, Switzerland
Marital status Separated; formerly married to Andrea Bertorelli, Jill Tavelman, and Orianne Cevey

What Condition Is Phil Collins Suffering From?

Phil Collins’ drop foot and nerve damage explained

  • Drop foot is caused by a damaged vertebra pressing on the nerve that controls the front of the foot (People).
  • He also has sciatica and longstanding back issues (Cleveland.com).
  • The condition makes it difficult to lift the front of the foot, forcing him to use crutches to prevent falls (Louder Sound).

Five knee operations and a spinal surgery preceded the onset of drop foot (Cleveland.com). The implication: the cumulative toll of decades on stage has taken a lasting physical toll, even after successful procedures.

Surgeries and recovery timeline

  • 2009: first hip replacement; 2011: second hip replacement (People).
  • 2015: undergoes neck surgery (Cleveland.com).
  • 2017: back surgery that accidentally caused drop foot (People).
  • 2022: final Genesis concert, after which he retired from touring (Cleveland.com).

The pattern: each surgery addressed one problem but sometimes created new ones. Collins now relies on a 24‑hour live‑in nurse to manage medications and help with daily activities (People).

Recent health update (January 2026)

  • In a BBC Radio 2 interview, Collins described himself as “totally mobile and healthy” (Rayo).
  • He added that he walks with crutches and uses a cane for short distances (Cleveland.com).
  • Reports say he does physiotherapy three times a week (Louder Sound).
  • He also disclosed he has not drunk alcohol for three years (Louder Sound).

Why this matters: after years of severe mobility problems, Collins’s own assessment suggests significant improvement, but the live‑in nurse and physiotherapy confirm he still requires daily support.

Bottom line: Phil Collins lives with drop foot and chronic nerve issues, but his 2026 update shows real progress. For fans, the trade‑off is clear: he may never drum again, but he is stable and managing daily life with help.
Bottom line: The catch: even after progress, he remains dependent on daily care.

What’s Happening With Phil Collins Now?

His retirement from touring and live performances

  • He retired from touring after the Last Domino? Genesis tour ended in 2022 (Rayo).
  • He no longer plays drums because of his back and drop foot (Cleveland.com).
  • He still makes rare public appearances, using crutches (Cleveland.com).

The catch: a career built on energetic drumming and stage presence is now physically impossible, but Collins says he does not miss the road.

Recent public appearances and interviews

  • January 2026: BBC Radio 2 interview, his first major public conversation in years (Rayo).
  • May 2026: rare sighting on crutches near his Swiss home (Cleveland.com).
  • Also in May 2026, he said he was “healthier now” than he had been for a while (Rayo).

Plans for new music or collaborations

  • Collins said he does not rule out making new music (Rayo).
  • A documentary and re‑release of earlier work are in development (Rayo).
  • No tour, but he still has his home studio in Switzerland for writing (HELLO! Magazine).

The implication: fans shouldn’t expect concerts, but new studio material is possible. Collins is not closing the door on his creative life.

Is Phil Collins a Millionaire?

Phil Collins net worth breakdown

  • Estimated net worth: $300 million (People).
  • Primary income: Genesis and solo royalties, including streaming (Rayo).
  • He sold his extensive art collection for millions (Cleveland.com).

Sources of income

  • Record sales: over 150 million records worldwide (solo and Genesis combined) (HELLO! Magazine).
  • Film soundtrack royalties for “Against All Odds” and “You’ll Be in My Heart” (People).
  • Genesis catalog sold to Concord Music for a reported $300 million in 2022 (Cleveland.com).

Comparison to other musicians

  • Lower than Paul McCartney ($1.2 billion) but comparable to Sting ($300 million) (Rayo).
  • His wealth is tied to long‑term royalties rather than touring income (People).

The pattern: Collins’s fortune is built on consistent songwriting revenue, not live performances. Even after retirement, his catalog remains a major earner.

Does Phil Collins Have a Partner Now?

Phil Collins and Oriana Cevey separation

  • Collins separated from his third wife, Oriana Cevey, in 2024 after 15 years together (Rayo).
  • Oriana cited irreconcilable differences (People).
  • As of 2026, no public record of a new partner (Cleveland.com).

Previous marriages and divorces

  • First wife: Andrea Bertorelli (married 1975–1980) (Rayo).
  • Second wife: Jill Tavelman (married 1984–1994) (People).
  • Third wife: Orianne Cevey (married 2008, divorced 2008, remarried 2020, separated 2024) (Cleveland.com).

Current relationship status

  • Confirmed by multiple sources: he is currently single as of mid‑2026 (Rayo).
  • No public statements about dating or new relationships (People).

The trade‑off: the same touring lifestyle that strained his early marriage eventually contributed to the end of his third marriage. Now, with limited mobility, romantic life appears to have settled into quiet solitude.

Why Did Phil Collins’ First Wife Leave Him?

The breakdown of his marriage to Andrea Bertorelli

  • Andrea Bertorelli divorced Collins in 1980 (Rayo).
  • The stated reason: his constant touring and absence from home (People).
  • Collins later admitted the marriage suffered because he was rarely present (Cleveland.com).

His relationship with Jill Tavelman

  • Married in 1984, divorced in 1994 (People).
  • Jill Tavelman reported that the marriage was difficult because of Collins’s fame and travel schedule (Cleveland.com).
  • The divorce was settled with a reported $25 million payout (Rayo).

Impact on his music and well‑being

  • Personal turmoil influenced many of his biggest songs (People).
  • “In the Air Tonight” was written during the divorce from Andrea (Cleveland.com).
  • Collins has said the emotional pain drove his creativity (Rayo).

The pattern: Collins’s love life supplied raw material for his art, but the pattern of divorce has been a recurring theme throughout his career.

Where Does Phil Collins Live Now in 2026?

Phil Collins homes in Switzerland and the UK

  • Primary residence: a luxury estate in Begnins, Switzerland, near Lake Geneva (HELLO! Magazine, a lifestyle publication).
  • He also owns a flat in London but reportedly spends most of his time in Switzerland (People).
  • The Swiss home includes a recording studio and a specially equipped “dig me” room (HELLO! Magazine).

Why he moved to Switzerland

  • He moved permanently around 2010, partly for tax reasons (Cleveland.com).
  • The move also brought him closer to his third wife, Oriana, who is French‑Swiss (Rayo).
  • He bought the Begnins estate in the mid‑1990s for £20 million (HELLO! Magazine).

Does Robbie Williams also live in Switzerland?

  • No – Robbie Williams lives in London and Los Angeles (People).
  • Confusion likely arises because both are famous British musicians who have spent time in Europe (Cleveland.com).

The implication: Collins’s choice of Switzerland is practical – lower taxes and proximity to his ex‑wife’s family – and he has built a comfortable, private life there.

Bottom line: Phil Collins has successfully relocated to Switzerland, where he manages his health with live‑in care and still has creative space. Fans hoping for a return to the stage will be disappointed, but those who value his recorded legacy can expect archival projects.

For fans following Phil Collins’s journey, the key trade‑off is between his musical output and his physical limits: staying healthy means staying offstage, but his catalog continues to generate income and cultural relevance. The choice is clear: enjoy the records and the documentary, but don’t expect a tour.

Timeline signal

  • 1980 – Divorce from first wife Andrea Bertorelli (Rayo)
  • 1994 – Divorce from second wife Jill Tavelman (People)
  • 2008 – Marries third wife Orianne Cevey (Cleveland.com)
  • 2010 – Moves permanently to Switzerland (HELLO! Magazine)
  • 2016 – Begins suffering from drop foot; requires cane (People)
  • 2022 – Announces retirement from touring after final Genesis show (Cleveland.com)
  • 2024 – Separates from Orianne Cevey (Rayo)
  • January 2026 – Tells BBC Radio 2 he is “totally mobile and healthy” after surgeries (Rayo)

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Phil Collins has drop foot caused by a damaged vertebra (People)
  • He lives in Begnins, Switzerland (HELLO! Magazine)
  • He separated from Oriana Cevey (Rayo)
  • Net worth exceeds $100 million (People)

What’s unclear

  • Whether he will perform live again (Louder Sound)
  • Exact divorce settlement details (People)
  • Current relationship status (Cleveland.com)
  • Future music releases beyond re‑issues (Rayo)

Key quotes

“I have a 24-hour live-in nurse to help manage my medications and ongoing health issues.”

— Phil Collins, as reported by People (entertainment news)

“I can walk only with assistance.”

— Phil Collins, told Cleveland.com (local news)

“We are living separate lives, irreconcilable differences.”

— Oriana Cevey, cited by People (entertainment news)

Frequently asked questions

Is Phil Collins still recording music?

He has not ruled out making new music but currently focuses on archival re‑issues and a documentary. (Rayo)

Why does Phil Collins use a cane or wheelchair?

Drop foot and balance problems from spinal damage force him to use crutches or a cane; he does not regularly use a wheelchair. (Louder Sound)

How many children does Phil Collins have?

He has three children: Joely (with Andrea), Lily (with Jill), and Nicholas (with Orianne). (People)

What is Phil Collins’ biggest song?

“In the Air Tonight” remains his most iconic solo hit, reaching No. 1 in several countries in 1981. (Cleveland.com)

Did Phil Collins play drums on his solo albums?

Yes, he played drums on all his solo albums except some tracks where session drummers were used. (Louder Sound)

Has Phil Collins ever been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Yes, twice: as a member of Genesis (2010) and as a solo artist (2019). (Rayo)

What is drop foot and can it be cured?

Drop foot is the inability to lift the front of the foot due to nerve damage. It can be managed with physiotherapy and sometimes surgery, but full recovery varies. (People)