What happened with David Coverdale and Tawny Kitaen? All about the late actress who helped secure Whitesnake frontman’s career amid retirement

English singer-songwriter David Coverdale announced his retirement on November 13. In a minute-long clip, he shared that it was time for him to “hang up” his rock ‘n’ roll platform shoes and “call it a day.” The rocker stated:

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, brothers and sisters of the Snake, a special announcement for you. After 50 years-plus of an incredible journey with you — with Deep Purple, with Whitesnake, Jimmy Page — the last few years it has been very evident to me that it’s time really for me to hang up my rock ‘n’ roll platform shoes and my skintight jeans.”

Referring to his hair, Coverdale, 74, quipped:

“And as you can see, we’ve taken care of the lion’s wig.”

He gave a shoutout to his fans, family, friends, crew, community, and everyone else who have “assisted and supported” him over the years in his “incredible journey” as a musician, calling them “amazing.”

David Coverdale was married to American model-actress Tawny Kitaen for 26 months in the 1990s. While they hadn’t been in touch with each other ever since their divorce, she once helped the musician secure his career.

Kitaen appeared in three music videos for Whitesnake’s self-titled album in 1987. They included the songs Still of the Night, Here I Go Again, and Is This Love?

In the recent clip that has now circulated across social media, Coverdale concluded by raising his glass and saying,

“It really is time for me to just enjoy my retirement, and I hope you can appreciate that. Once again, I love you with all my heart. Fare thee well.”

All you need to know about David Coverdale’s relationship with Tawny Kitaen

David Coverdale crossed paths with Tawny Kitaen in the spring of 1986 at the popular LA dinner joint Le Dome. They dated for two years before getting engaged during a tour bus ride from Iowa to Minnesota. The couple walked down the aisle in February 1989. The marriage ended in April 1991.

During a 2005 interview with Wisconsin Music, the musician clarified that it was he and not Kitaen who petitioned for the divorce. He also shared in an AOL group chat in 1994 that although Kitaen was his inspiration, their marriage was a “nightmare.”

In the 2005 interview, David Coverdale touched upon how Tawny Kitaen’s feature on Whitesnake music videos became a sensation at the time, including getting them on the cover of Rolling Stone. The album comprising the music videos has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, to date.

Coverdale also explained how his ex-wife came to be in the music videos. Originally, Claudia Schiffer was supposed to appear. However, when things didn’t work out at the last minute, the director Marty Callner called him and asked him to visit him at his house in Beverly Hills.

Back then, David Coverdale and Tawny Kitaen were dating, and he had to take a re-route to meet Callner instead of going to dinner.

“He opens the door, and his jaw hits the floor. I mean, Tawney was spectacular to look at. An extraordinarily pretty woman. And he went, 'That's her! That's the Whitesnake woman, that's the Whitesnake woman.'”

The Deep Purple frontman continued:

“And I went, 'Marty, this is a friend of mine, I don't mix business and pleasure.' Tawney, affecting modesty, said, 'Ah, don't be silly, David. I wouldn't mind at all!' And grabbed it with both hands. She brought an incredible element and attention to my work.”

However, David Coverdale clarified that, unlike the speculation, the song Here We Go Again was about his marital split from his first wife, Julia Borkowski, and not Tawny Kitaen.

David and Julia have a daughter. The rocker also has a 29-year-old son with his wife, and author Cindy Coverdale, whom he married in 1997.

For over two decades, David Coverdale didn’t speak about Tawny Kitaen until her death in May 2021. In November of that year, the musician appeared on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown podcast and reflected on his relationship with Kitaen.

Coverdale called his late ex-wife an

“iconic, amazing beauty who brought so much attention to my music.”

He also claimed she was “synonymous” with Whitesnake and MTV.

David Coverdale recalled that he heard of her demise via a late-night text and was shocked.

“Once you go, 'Oh, my God, she's gorgeous,' you go, 'Wow, the songs aren't bad either!’ Yeah, so that was a shock — there was no question. I didn't see that one coming. But then, sadly, I'm losing a lot of people…” he noted.

The Coverdale-Page creator shared he hadn’t been in communication with Tawny Kitaen for over three decades, something which might have been different if they shared a child.

“I sent my condolences out to her family and friends, and made a modest public statement because it really wasn't my place to do anything else,” he stated.

Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg once told Dutch reporter Boudewijn Geels in an interview that the Coverdale-Kitaen marriage allegedly ended because of Tawny’s addiction issues.

About Tawny Kitaen

Tawny Kitaen’s birth name was Julie Kitaen. She was born in August 1961 in San Diego, California. Tawny was the daughter of Terry Kitaen and Linda Lee Taylor. She had two siblings: Krista and Jordan.

Kitaen worked as a model, actress, and producer, who began as a stage performer in her teens, to help with her dyslexia. She was also a trained gymnast and tap dancer.

Apart from his collaboration with Whitesnake, she was also known for her appearances in Malibu, California Girls, Bachelor Party, The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak, and Witchboard.

While dating guitarist Robbin Crosby, she appeared on the covers of his glam metal band Ratt’s two albums, Ratt and Out of the Cellar. The actress also appeared in reality shows, including The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew.

Tawny was also known for her controversial affair with disgraced NFL star and actor O.J. Simpson. Kitaen had a tumultuous marriage with former MLB pitcher Chuck Finley, with whom she tied the knot in 1997. Together, they had two children: Wynter and Raine. She had several run-ins with the law, including a domestic violence incident with Finley.

Tawny died from heart disease in May 2021 in Newport Beach, California. She was 59.

Speaking to Rock N Roll Junkie, Tawny Kitaen wished David Coverdale “the very best” and shared that he had the “best rock and roll voice ever.” Reflecting on David’s career and their short-lived marriage, she noted:

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“We had a good time. Nothing but good things to say about that man. He still has a great voice. He started better than everyone else, so even if he starts to lose it, he'll still be better than most of the people singing.”

David Coverdale’s retirement announcement was followed by a 5-minute tribute, which showed his career highlights as his iconic song Fare Thee Well played in the background.

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