Who is Bret Michaels' partner? What we know as Rock of Love Kelsey Bateman dies 

Kelsey Bateman who appeared on Bret Michaels’s reality tv show, Rock of Love with Bret Michaels has passed away, according to a report in TMZ. She was 39.

However, the cause of her death is still unknown as her family reported she died “unexpectedly.” The show ran from 2007 to 2009, where a group of women competed to be Michael’s girlfriend. Bateman appeared in the show’s final season, but was eliminated in the seventh episode.

Michaels, who is the frontman of the band Poison got engaged to his longtime partner Kristi Lynn Gibson in 2010 during the finale of Michaels' reality show Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It. However, the pair never got married and called off their engagement in 2012.

Here are more details on their relationship.

All we know about Bret Michaels’ partner Kristi Lynn Gibson

Bret Michaels’ partner Kristi Lynn Gibson has remained his on and off girlfriend since the pair started dating in 1993. Kristi is a Canadian model and actress. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on December 25, 1970, Gibson began her acting career in the late 1990s.

According to People magazine, she appeared in the 1998 psychological thriller, A Letter From Death Row. She also featured in Bret Michaels’ 2003 music video for his song Raine, dedicated to their daughter.

Michaels and his partner never married but shared a strong relationship since the 90s. On their first date in 1993, they went for a motorcycle ride. After years of dating, the couple got engaged during the finale of reality TV show, Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It, in 2010.

According to People magazine, while proposing to his girlfriend, Michaels said:

“I love you, and you’ve been unbelievably a big part of my life, and we have two beautiful girls together. I know we love and respect each other, and I hope that we can find that inner love that we have forever. And I want you to be my wife.”

They even decided to get married at that time planning a private beach wedding ceremony. But, the things didn’t go as planned for the couple. They called off their engagement in 2012. One of the representatives for the singer shared the news that time and said:

“Bret Michaels and long time girlfriend Kristi Gibson have called off their engagement at this time. Although the couple have separated they remain great friends and are committed to jointly raising their two daughters.”

Despite the ups and down in their relationship the Michaels maintained a strong bond with Gibson over the years.

They share two daughters – Raine Elizabeth, who was born on May 20, 2000 and Jorja Bleu, who was born on May 5, 2005. Raine followed the footsteps of her mother choosing modeling as her career. She is also a sports enthusiast, as per People magazine. Her sister Jorja is an aspiring hairstylist.

Michaels celebrated his anniversary with Gibson three weeks ago on August 8, 2025. Taking to his Instagram he wrote:

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“A Happy Anniversary Kristi, from then til now and all the great moments in between, including our beautiful daughters Raine and Jorja...Carpe Diem!”

The two continue to co-parent their daughters with much love and support for each other as a family.

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