Francesca Hetfield Calls Herself a ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ – Facts about James Hetfield’s Wife He Is Divorcing

Francesca Hetfield was Metallica lead singer James Hetfield’s wife. People used to admire their marriage, but the former couple’s recent divorce piqued fans’ curiosity about what exactly went wrong in their relationship.

Francesca Hetfield and her husband, James Hetfield, the lead singer of Metallica, made headlines in late summer 2022 when it was reported that they were divorcing after over two decades of marriage.

Francesca had been by James’ side for quite a long time and is the mother of the singer’s three children. She keeps a low profile on social media, but this has not stopped many people from wanting to know more about her personal life.

James Hetfield and his wife Francesca Hetfield attend the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Source: Getty Images

Francesca Comes from a Macho Family

Born as Francesca Tomasi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francesca grew up in a macho family where men’s demands were more important than women’s. After she met James, her life changed because he gave her an equal footing at home. James said:

“Our household is very 50/50. I think we should all be treated equally.”

James, who is familiar with his wife’s background, explained that he “can’t respect” a woman who bows to the demands of men. He stated that strong women were his preference.

Francesca had previously held various jobs. Interestingly, she started as a Metallica’s security crew member but eventually switched to the rock band’s wardrobe team.

Beyond her responsibility as the band’s fashionista, she has a special role for the animals she loves. She described herself as a “loyal, honest, mom, crazy cat lady” on Instagram.

She has posted several pictures of her fluffy, long-haired cats on her page. Cats were seen lounging in multiple rooms of the house, including Francesca’s bedroom, and atop her bags.

James Hetfield Found His Way to Unexpectedly Propose to His Wife

Francesca first met James in 1992, and the two dated afterward. James’ marriage proposal to his wife was quite funny and unexpected. During a romantic date, Hetfield tried many times to put the ring on the table without her seeing it.

For him to do it again, James tricked Francesca and told her she had spinach stuck in her teeth. Francesca went to the bathroom, and when she returned, a ring was set on the table with James asking her to marry him. The couple tied the knot in 1997.

The sweet proposal was not the only thing James had made for Francesca. He even got a tattoo in honor of his wife. He had the letter “F” for Francesca and “M” for Metallica tattooed on his hands.

James Hetfield and his wife Francesca attend the 2nd Annual MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert Honoring James Hetfield and Bill Silva at Henry Fonda Music Box on May 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Francesca Once Kicked James Hetfield Out of the House

The couple had been together for a long time, but their marriage was not always easy. In a January 2017 interview, James said that his struggles with addiction had almost cost him to lose his family, adding:

“I got kicked out of my house by my wife, I was living on my own somewhere, I did not want that.”

He admitted to being fearful of what Francesca had done to him while believing that she had done the right thing. His wife also told him to see a therapist to help him escape his mess.

James Hetfield and hsi wife Francesca Hetfield attend the 56th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

James eventually checked himself into a rehabilitation center, where he found another chance to become a better person and rebuild himself. Since entering the facility, the rockstar has been sober for over a decade.

Over the years, James has been grateful to Francesca for helping him through difficult times, including his struggles with anger management.

James Hetfield and his wife Francesca Hetfield attend the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Source: Getty Images

Francesca and James’ Son Followed in His Father’s Footsteps

Francesca and James have three children: their daughters Cali Tee, and Marcella Francesca, and their son Castor Virgil. Every one of their children has found rewarding work in art and music.

The couple’s oldest daughter Cali was born on June 13, 1998. She went to the Rhode Island School of Design and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2020. She is now a designer and artist in Brooklyn, New York.

James Hetfield, his wife Francesca Hetfield and theor three children attend the “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on February 2, 2012, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Castor was born on May 18, 2000, and is the middle child. He pursued a music career, following in his father’s footsteps, and is now a member of the metal rock band Bastardane. “Is This Rage?” is the band’s debut album, released recently.

Marcella was born on January 17, 2002, and is the youngest of the siblings. She studied jewelry design at Pratt Institute in New York before becoming an actress and performer.

Francesca Hetfield Went on Tours with Her Husband

Francesca has gone on several memorable family vacations with James and their children. She has also accompanied her husband worldwide on his Metallica band tours.

They went to Punta Del Este, Uruguay, in 2011, where the musician reportedly lost his temper because of the paparazzi surrounding him and his family. In 2018, the couple also went on a luxurious yacht trip to Mykonos, Greece.

Following her recent split from James Hetfield, it appears that Francesca will no longer be able to take vacations or go on tours with her husband.

According to a TMZ source, in August 2022, the musician filed for divorce from his wife. Neither James nor Francesca had not commented further on their shocking split after 25 years of marriage. Francesca reportedly told TMZ: “I am extremely saddened that my marriage has come to this.”

She added that despite the ups and downs of their marriage, there was a lot of love between them. Amid their split, she and James still keep in touch because of their children.

James has been grateful to Francesca for helping him through difficult times, including his struggles with anger management. TMZ also reported that the couple had kept their divorce out of the public eye.