Who Is Francesca Hetfield, James Hetfield's Former Wife?

August 2024 · 4 minute read

Fame found Francesca Hetfield when she got married to popular musician James Hetfield. 

They welcomed three kids before their relationship ran its course. Even though she continues to garner interest as James’ former wife, Francesca also has her achievements. 

Keep reading to find out more about Francesca and her relationship with James. 

Who Is Francesca Hetfield? 

Francesca was born Francesca Tomasi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, into what many would call a macho family. In her family, men’s needs were more important than women’s. However, after she met James, her perspective changed because he treated her as an equal at home. 

It was how he was brought up. Speaking about it, James said: “Our household is very 50/50. I think we should all be treated equally.”

James, who knows about his wife’s background, admitted that he finds it hard to respect a woman too timid to stand before men. He also confessed that he has a thing for strong women. No wonder he fell head over heels with Francesca, who always had a strong constitution. 

She started working at an early age, holding down various jobs. She was a Metallica security crew member before becoming the band’s costume designer.

Outside fashion, other things Francesca likes include animals, especially cats. Her Instagram bio describes her as a “loyal, honest, mom, crazy cat lady.” Francesca enjoys posting pictures of her cats on her page, demonstrating her immense love for the long-haired felines. 

How Did James Hetfield Meet Francesca?

James Hetfield and Francesca Hetfield first met James in 1992, after which they started dating. James proposed to her when they decided to take things to the next step. It happened during a romantic date with James trying many times to get the ring on the table without her noticing. 

To pull it off, he tricked Francesca into thinking there was spinach stuck in her teeth. So, she went to the bathroom. When she returned, it was to meet the ring set on the table with James asking her to marry him. They tied the knot in 1997.

After their marriage, James and Francesca mostly flew under the radar. However, they often toured together, and she even appeared in the 2004 documentary “Metallica: Some Kind of Monster.”

What Does Francesca Hetfield Do for a Living?

Francesca Hetfield is an American costume designer. She started to earn a living after graduating high school as a waitress at a bar near her home. She did not attend college but went on to establish her career in the costume design industry by the age of 23. 

Francesca Hetfield’s Net Worth 

According to some sources, Francesca is worth approximately $1 million. She earned most of her money from her work as a costume designer. 

How Old Is Francesca Hetfield?

Francesca was born in January 1970, making her 53 at the time of this writing. 

Where Is Francesca Hetfield From?

Francesca Hetfield was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Francesca Hetfield and James Hetfield’s Marriage

James and Francesca’s marriage held out for 25 years before they filed for divorce. During that time, they weathered many storms — for example, James’ addiction. In an interview from 2017, the singer revealed that his struggles with addiction almost cost him his family at the time. 

It made Francesca kick him out of their home, and eventually, she advised him to see a therapist. He later checked into a rehab center and got sober, changing his life completely. Francesca and James have three children: their daughters, Cali Tee and Marcella Francesca, and a son Castor Virgil.

All three kids inherited their father’s affinity for arts and have found rewarding work in arts and entertainment.

Are Francesca and James Still Together? 

No, Francesca and James are no longer together. They filed for divorce in 2022, with many sources claiming it happened secretly earlier in the year. 

Their fans did not catch a whiff of it until later, but the couple had made their decision.  Couples like them that divorced after long years of dedication to each other include Jennifer Flavin and Sylvester Stallone, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus, and Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner. 

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