Phil Collins has stated that he regrets the dissolution of his three marriages, attributing the breakdowns largely to the demands of his touring career. Speaking on the podcast "Piers Morgan Uncensored," the 75-year-old musician reflected on the toll his work with the band Genesis took on his family life. "To some extent, I have to say I regret my marriages falling apart," Collins said, acknowledging that while he sometimes initiated separations, other times he was pushed out. He noted that he balances this regret with the fact that he has five children, stating he would not have them if those relationships had not ended.
Collins was married to his first wife, Andrea Bertorelli, from 1975 to 1980. The couple had a son, Simon, and Collins adopted Bertorelli's daughter, Joely. He explained that the first marriage broke down because he was frequently absent due to touring. He recalled that in one year, Genesis completed three American tours, two European tours, and a tour of Japan. Bandmates later suggested they could have stopped the tours if he had asked, but Collins noted that such advice is easy to give in retrospect. "I was gone, and we grew apart," he said.
His second marriage to Jill Tavelman lasted from 1984 to 1996, during which they had a daughter, Lily. His third marriage to Orianne Cevey spanned from 1999 to 2006, resulting in the birth of sons Nicholas and Mathew. Collins emphasized that despite the marital failures, he always tried to be present for his children and did not plan on marrying three times.
His daughter Lily Collins, who stars in the Netflix series "Emily in Paris," addressed their relationship in her 2017 memoir, "Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me." In an excerpt read by host Piers Morgan, she wrote that she is learning to accept her father's actions and vocalize her feelings about them. She stated that she forgives him for not always being there and for not being the father she expected. She added that while it may seem late, there is still time to move forward.
The pair has since strengthened their bond. Lily Collins shared photos of them celebrating Phil Collins' 75th birthday together in January. In a message accompanying the photos, she expressed gratitude for hugging and reminiscing with him on what she called a monumental day. She also posted a Father's Day tribute on Instagram, describing herself as endlessly grateful for his unconditional love and support. Now a mother herself, Lily noted that she has a deeper appreciation for her father's role. Her first child, Tove, was born via surrogate in January 2025.