How many children does Billy Idol have? A look into the rocker's family as daughter reveals how a DNA test led them to his long-lost son

"Billy Idol Should Be Dead" Premiere - 2025 Tribeca Festival - Source: Getty
Billy Idol performs onstage at the "Billy Idol Should Be Dead" premiere (Image via Getty)

Billy Idol, who has three children, had previously revealed that he has another son, whose existence he did not know of until 2023. In the documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, it is revealed the discovery was made through a DNA test undertaken by the Dancing With Myself singer's daughter.

According to People Magazine, Billy Idol had previously introduced his son to the world in 2023, when he recieved his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His long lost son was seen joining his half siblings, to celebrate their father's special moment.

More about Billy Idol's family, as singer reveals how he discovered his third child

Billy Idol, who rose to fame in the 1970s, with hits like White Wedding, Eyes Without a Face, and Rebel Yell, among others, was previously in a relationship with dancer Perry Lister in the 1980s. The couple had one son, Willem Wolfe Broad, born 1988, and a year later the couple went their separate ways. Billy Idol then welcomed daughter Bonnie Blue Board in 1989 with Linda Mathis, whom he had met while on tour.

In his documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, which premiered on Tuesday, 10 June at the Tribeca Film Festival, the former lead singer of the punk rock band, Genration X, talked about what fatherhood meant to him, adding more about his son, whose existence he did not know untill two years back. He said:

“I really enjoyed being a dad. I always wanted a boy and a girl, and I finagled my way into a boy and a girl. In your own daft way, you’ve achieved what you set out to do. And I actually had a son that I didn’t realize, who I fathered on the Rebel Yell tour without knowing it. So I somehow finagled this as well.”

In the documentary, Bonnie Board added that she wanted to know more about her family history prompting her to get a DNA test, through 23andMe, after which she made the shocking discovery. She said:

"My husband just surprised me with a 23andMe, with a DNA test as a Christmas present. And then a few weeks later, I get the results back on the app and open it and I’m like, who is this? This Brant. And it says his info’s like, New York, 1985, looking for my bio dad. I was like, ‘What?’”

On the other hand, Brant had at some point in his life learned that the man he originally thought to be his biological father was in fact not related to him, prompting him to question his mother. He said in the documentary:

"I was like, ‘Mom, is there a chance Mark might not be my biological father?’ And she’s like, ‘Well, it’s pretty crazy, but back in the day, we broke up and I actually spent a weekend with Billy Idol.

He further added:

"[Billy Idol] He’s definitely showed me a lot of love, so I’m blessed"

Soon after the discovery in 2023, Idol, who welcomed Brant to the inner circle of his family, added:

"Once I saw Brant with Bonnie and Willem, they’ve all got the same quirky sense of humor. And once I saw that, I could see he’s my son, really.”

Billy Idol, who has four grandchildren, further added that he has embraced the life of a grandfather. In a 2024 interview with People Magazine, he had previously added that the best part of his new role was not "having to discipline" his grandchildren.

Edited by Ayesha Mendonca