Singer Gary Numan has stated that the method by which he met his wife, Gemma O'Neill, might now be considered illegal. Numan, 68, met O'Neill, who is 10 years younger, in the 1990s after noticing her frequent attendance at his concerts. He described how they developed a rapport, and he subsequently used his own fan club to obtain her phone number.
"That's how I attracted her, which I think is illegal now," Numan told The Times, recalling the period after learning that O'Neill's mother had passed away. He explained that when he first called her using the number from the fan club, she dismissed it as a prank. After a second call, O'Neill questioned his identity, prompting him to prove who he was.
Numan recounted inviting her on a road trip for a radio interview, intending to help her cope with her mother's death. The couple married in 1997 and have three daughters: Raven, 23, Persia, 21, and Echo, 19.
Recently, O'Neill revealed that she is experiencing paralysis in one arm as a rare complication following spinal surgery to address a herniated disc. She shared this health update on Instagram, noting that the operation at the end of last year resulted in immediate paralysis of her left arm. Although physiotherapy has helped her regain some movement in her lower arm and biceps, she has experienced no recovery in her shoulder and surrounding areas. The condition is particularly challenging as she is left-handed.
This health issue follows the death of Numan's younger brother, John, in November. The singer reportedly received the news of his brother's passing while on stage during a tour. O'Neill's spinal surgery was one of three operations she has undergone since August, with another still pending. She has been unable to return to the family home in Los Angeles since September, having arrived in the UK on December 4, a week before her operation. She expressed missing their animals and acknowledged Numan's dedication to her care, which has impacted his career.
Numan's wife has also been diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome, a vascular disorder affecting the left renal vein, and May-Thurner syndrome, a pelvic vein condition. She has also experienced pelvic congestion syndrome, which she suggested may have contributed to a mini-stroke in 2024. Earlier in 2024, Numan mentioned that his wife had been treated for a heart arrhythmia, describing it as a distressing time for the family.