Melissa Kennedy: Facts about Travis Barker’s First Wife

Travis Barker’s nuptials with Kourtney Kardashian is his third attempt at a happy marriage. The first one with Melissa Kennedy lasted less than a year.

Travis Barker tied the knot with Kourtney Kardashian in a classic L.A. ceremony in April 2022. And while this is Kourtney’s first time getting married, this isn’t the first time the famous drummer has shared a marital bond.

Before Kourtney, Travis married T.V. personality Shanna Moakler. The couple wed in 2004, had two children, and called it quits in 2008. However, that wasn’t the musician’s first wedlock, either.

Travis‘s first attempt at a married life lasted less than a year. He was married to Melissa Kennedy, who got noticed after being the celebrity’s wife.

Melissa Kennedy was a private person, directly contrasting Travis’s current wife. Here are a few interesting facts about Melissa Kennedy.

Travis Barker of Blink-182 at his home in July, 2001 in Riverside, California. | Source: Getty Images

SHORT MARRIAGE

Travis got married to Melissa Kennedy when his band Blink-182 was at the peak of its fame. Travis joined the band in 1998. And just a year later, the band came up with their classic album “Enema of the State.”

In 2001, the band tasted success again after releasing the album “Take Off Your Pants And Jacket.” The album became an instant fan favorite.

Blink-182 members Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus pose before their performance at the Hollywood Paladium in 2001. | Source: Getty Images

Soon after his band’s second album, Travis tied the knot with Melissa Kennedy. The former couple married on September 22, 2001, but soon, there was trouble in paradise. The duo split up in August 2002, weeks shy of their one-year mark of togetherness.

Travis and Melissa did not have any children. Years since they parted ways, details of their courtship and family life are still unknown.

Travis Barker of Blink-182 and his date during 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

MELISSA IS NOT A PUBLIC PERSON

Unlike Travis’s subsequent wives, Melissa Kennedy has seemingly lived a private life. While Kourtney Kardashian and Shanna Moakler continue to have a media presence, Melissa Kennedy appears to have chosen otherwise.

The Travis Barker-Melissa Kennedy divorce also remains mysterious, unlike Travis’s second divorce, which turned out to be a publicly messy affair. Shanna and Travis tried to reconcile for the sake of their children but ultimately decided to live their separate lives.

Not much is known of her work in show business either. While Kourtney and Shanna have both been associated with reality shows, Melissa’s only credits are appearances in two brief projects.

Travis Barker and actress and Shanna Moakler at the 19th Annual MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2002. | Source: Getty Images

She is credited on IMDb as a featured artist in Blink-182’s documentary shorts. The band released their first documentary, “Blink-182: The Urethra Chronicles,” in 1999, wherein she features as herself. Its sequel was released in 2002, in which she appeared as “Travis Barker’s wife.”

Despite being away from the public eye, Melissa Kennedy has created a longstanding career for herself across industries. One of her early gigs was associated with Travis himself.

Travis Barker’s appearance on MTV’s Total Request Live in New York City in 2005. | Source: Getty Images

MELISSA HELPED TRAVIS WITH A CLOTHING BRAND

When Travis chose to explore his entrepreneurial side, Melissa Kennedy had a vital role in his venture. Besides being the drummer of the successful band, Travis ventured into the fashion industry. He started a clothing brand called “Famous Stars and Straps” in 1999.

The brand reflected the percussionist’s passions, highly inspired by the California lifestyle. Music, cars, and tattoo culture were the main inspirations behind the designs, targeted mainly towards music and art enthusiasts.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Mellisa Kennedy held the position of vice president for the brand from 1999 to 2002. She quit around the time the former couple decided to split. Meanwhile, over 20 years since its inception, Travis’ brand is still in business.

Travis Barker attends the opening night of Cirque Du Soleil’s “Kurios-Cabinet Of Curiosities” at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 2015. | Source: Getty Images

TRAVIS HAD A TATTOO OF MELISSA’S NAME

Travis’s love for his tattoos is unmistakable. The “All The Small Things” drummer expresses his devotion to true punk rock fashion by treating his body as a canvas for ink.

From mottos like “One Life, One Chance” to the initials of his children, Landon and Alabama, Travis has tattoos that seem to reflect his life and philosophy. In the past few months, Travis got many new tattoos dedicated to Kourtney, including one featuring her name on his chest.

Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian attend the 2022 Met Gala in May 2022. | Source: Getty Images

The 46-year-old has over a hundred tattoos from neck to toe. Different tattoo artists made these for him, and each design signifies his life’s journey. Years ago, Travis had tattooed Melissa’s name across his neck.

Although he did not remove the tattoo, Travis decided to cover it up after his divorce from Melissa. The name of his first life partner has now been covered with a rose tattoo.

MELISSA KENNEDY IS A REALTOR

Melissa is not a public personality and has managed to stay away from the cameras all these years. While her personal life remains under wraps, her professional life seems to have changed since her divorce.

Travis Barker of Blink-182 and his date during 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Her LinkedIn profile shows that she stepped down as vice president of “Famous Stars and Straps” in 2002. Following that stint, she entered the real estate industry.

According to the profile, Melissa started working as a salesperson for Pacific Sands Mortgage and Realty Inc. the following year. In 2006 she switched to being the owner of Lifestyle Estates Realty And Funding Inc. in California.

MELISSA IS MISTAKEN FOR ANOTHER PERSON

Unfortunately, some tabloids and websites misrepresented Melissa Kennedy by mistaking her for another person with a similar name: K. Melissa Kennedy.

K. Melissa Kennedy is an author and wrote a book titled “The Innovation Revolution: Discover the Genius Hiding in Plain Sight.” The book was released in 2017 and is considered a guide to building a prosperous business.

On the other hand, Travis’s former wife seems to have become a businesswoman. While it is unclear where Melissa Kennedy currently lives, her business is said to be in Orange County, California.

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