Earlier this year, Iman got a new tattoo to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the passing of her husband, rock legend David Bowie.
The ink, a series of stylized stars, may appear cryptic to the casual observer, but according to the Somali-born supermodel, there’s a surprisingly simple meaning behind the tattoo.
A Tattoo Tribute
In January 2026, Iman took to Instagram to share a black-and-white video in which a tattoo artist was creating a design on her wrist.
In the caption, she referred to Bowie’s passing a decade earlier, on January 10, 2016 at the age of 69.
“Jan 10th. The pain didn’t vanish.. it left in its place a loving permanent mark. #BowieForever,” she wrote.
A Meaning in the Stars
GettyWhile fans have pondered the meaning of her tattoo, Iman is now sharing the truth behind it — and the significance it continues to have for her..
“[The tattoo] was from his last album, ‘Blackstar,'” she told People.
“And people [were] trying to decipher… in [the] first couple of years what it meant,” she continued, before revealing her tattoo’s hidden meaning.
“It actually says Bowie in stars,” she explained, referring to the star-based typeface spelling out the late rocker’s last name.
“It’s trying to keep the memory alive that is joyful, you know?” she added. “And that’s why I did this in 10 years.”
Her Memories Sustain Her
Back in 2021, Iman spoke with People about their romance with the man behind the chameleon-like rock persona.
“I knew him as the man, David Jones, his real name,” Iman recalled. “And not the rock star.”
As she pointed out, she, Bowie and their daughter — Alexandria “Lexi” Zahra Jones — shared a closeness that allowed Bowie to let down his guard.
“I think David was able to open up more because with us, he felt safe,” she explained. “And I think his fans saw that he laughed and smiled more.”
Living without her partner of more than a quarter-century, she admitted that it’s not always easy.
“There are days that are harder than others but the memories are not all sad of why the person isn’t here. The memories are now of how great it was,” she said.
“Sometimes I have to remind myself that I had 26 years. So I have that to sustain me.”
Why Iman Wil Never Remarry
In that interview, Iman also revealed that she didn’t see herself ever getting married again — because she feels as if she is still wed.
Recalling when her daughter asked if she would ever find another love, she recalled her definitive response.
“I said ‘No, I will not.’ I still feel married. Someone a few years ago referred to David as my late husband and I said ‘No, he’s not my late husband. He’s my husband,'” Iman said.
Even a decade later, Iman admitted that she still feels Bowie in her life.
“I definitely feel his presence, especially when I look out over the glorious sunsets at our home because David loves sunsets,” she remembered. “So in that way he is ever present.”
