Blake Fielder-Civil is best known as Amy Winehouse’s ex-husband, but his life story goes far beyond their troubled romance. Born in Northamptonshire in 1982, Blake’s life has been shaped by addiction, prison time, brief fame, and attempts at personal change.
Who is Blake Fielder-Civil?
Before the tabloid headlines and public scrutiny, Blake grew up in the quiet county of Northamptonshire. His early years passed without much notice until he met a rising jazz vocalist named Amy Winehouse in 2005. Their first meeting at a pub called The Good Mixer sparked a relationship that would captivate public attention for years.
Blake worked behind the scenes in music as a video assistant, though his personal life quickly overshadowed his career. His distinctive look—tall with dark features and numerous tattoos—became familiar to tabloid readers across Britain as his relationship with Winehouse intensified.
Their relationship became one of the most public and chaotic in music during that time. Blake inspired many songs on Winehouse’s breakthrough album “Back to Black,” including the title track, which chronicled their breakups and reconciliations. Their love story, marked by passion and chaos, unfolded against the backdrop of Winehouse’s skyrocketing fame.
Fast, Messy Romance
Blake and Amy’s relationship moved at lightning speed. After meeting in 2005, they married in Miami on May 18, 2007, in a simple ceremony without family present. Photos showed them smiling in casual clothes, Amy in a short white dress, and Blake in a shirt and pants.
They divorced in 2009 after two chaotic years marked by public battles with addiction. British tabloids often portrayed Blake as a negative influence on Amy, a characterization that followed him long after their relationship ended.
Even after the chaos, they shared a real bond that both spoke about often. In interviews, both spoke of an intense bond that transcended their problems. Amy called Blake her “rock” and tattooed his name across her body. Blake similarly tattooed Amy’s name behind his ear, a permanent reminder of their connection.
When Amy died in 2011, Blake was in prison for burglary and wasn’t allowed to attend her funeral. He later told journalists this prevented him from finding closure.
Legal Troubles and Imprisonment
Blake’s adult life features a string of legal problems. His most serious conviction came in 2008 when he received a 27-month prison sentence for assaulting a pub owner and attempting to cover it up. The judge called his actions “vile behavior,” highlighting the severity of the assault.
While Blake was in prison, Amy’s health worsened without him. While he participated in rehabilitation programs during his sentence, Amy struggled alone with addiction and health issues. Some family members, including Amy’s father Mitch Winehouse, blamed Blake for introducing Amy to hard drugs, a claim Blake himself later acknowledged in interviews.
After his release, Blake’s legal troubles continued. In 2011, he returned to prison after committing burglary to fund his drug habit. This sentence coincided with Amy’s death, leaving Blake to grieve while incarcerated.
His criminal record complicated his life after prison, limiting employment opportunities and contributing to financial struggles. His money problems later led to a controversial move—trying to claim part of Amy’s estate.
Life After Amy
Following Amy’s death and his release from prison, Blake attempted to rebuild his life away from the spotlight. He entered a relationship with Sarah Aspin, whom he met in rehab in 2009. Together they had two children: son Jack (born 2011) and daughter Lola Jade (born 2013).
The relationship with Sarah lasted until 2018, marking one of the more stable periods of Blake’s adult life. During this time, he occasionally gave interviews about Amy but mostly focused on recovery and fatherhood.
After separating from Sarah, Blake eventually found new love with Bay Wright. The couple announced their engagement in 2021, suggesting Blake had found some measure of personal stability.
His public appearances became less frequent over time, though he occasionally emerged for interviews about Amy, particularly around anniversaries of her death or when new documentaries and films about her life premiered.
Fight for Amy’s Money
Blake’s financial situation after Amy’s death remained precarious. Without steady employment and with a criminal record, he struggled to support himself and his family with Sarah.
In 2019, eight years after Amy’s death, Blake made headlines by seeking £1 million (approximately $1.38 million) from her estate. The claim shocked many, particularly since the couple had divorced years before her death. Amy left behind an estate worth around £3 million, which primarily went to her parents.
Blake justified his claim by stating he had inspired much of the material on “Back to Black,” Amy’s most successful album. He argued this entitled him to royalties from her music. The legal maneuver drew criticism from Amy’s family and fans who viewed it as opportunistic.
The outcome of this legal claim remains somewhat unclear in public records, though it appears Blake did not receive the full amount he sought. The episode highlighted the complex financial entanglements that can persist long after a celebrity marriage ends.
Media Portrayal and Public Image
Blake became one of the British tabloids’ favorite villains. Newspapers routinely depicted him as a villain in Amy’s story, blaming him for her decline and addiction struggles.
Headlines labeled him “the man who killed Amy Winehouse” despite her death occurring years after their divorce. The press ignored Amy’s own struggles and painted Blake as the sole cause of her downfall.
Blake addressed this portrayal in a 2013 interview, saying: “I feel like my life has been ruined, my reputation has been ruined… I was very young when I met Amy. I wasn’t ready for any of this.”
The 2015 documentary “Amy” presented a more nuanced view of their relationship, showing genuine affection alongside their shared demons. The documentary showed home videos of happier times, offering a side the public rarely saw.
In 2023, the biopic “Back to Black” again put Blake in the spotlight, with actor Jack O’Connell portraying him. Blake expressed mixed feelings about the film, acknowledging it attempted to show his humanity while still placing blame on him for aspects of Amy’s decline.
Trying to Move On
Despite his troubled past, evidence suggests Blake has worked toward recovery in recent years. His relationship with Bay Wright and engagement in 2021 mark steps toward stability after years of chaos.
Blake has spoken openly about his addiction struggles, telling interviewers he began serious recovery efforts after Amy’s death served as a wake-up call. He admits to relapsing but says he’s trying to stay sober.
His role as a father to Jack and Lola Jade provided motivation for these changes. In rare interviews where he discusses his children, Blake expresses desire to be present and stable for them in ways he couldn’t be during his relationship with Amy.
People close to him say he now prefers staying out of the spotlight.
Current Life and Status
As of 2025, Blake Fielder-Civil is 43 years old. He maintains a relatively low profile compared to his days in the tabloid spotlight. While engaged to Bay Wright, he keeps details of their relationship largely private.
His relationship with his children continues, though he rarely shares details publicly out of respect for their privacy. Friends report he tries to be a consistent presence in their lives despite his past struggles.
Blake’s professional activities remain largely undocumented in public sources. With a criminal record and no formal training, steady work hasn’t been easy.
He makes occasional media appearances, primarily related to Amy Winehouse documentaries, anniversaries, or tributes. In these appearances, he generally speaks respectfully about their relationship while acknowledging its problems.
Today, Blake lives quietly—far from the brief fame he once had during his marriage to Amy. His current residence remains private, though reports suggest he stays in the UK, not far from his children.
How He’s Remembered
Blake’s place in music history rests primarily on his role in Amy Winehouse’s life and art. Music scholars and critics acknowledge his influence on “Back to Black,” an album many consider among the most important of the 21st century.
Songs like “Back to Black,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Love Is a Losing Game” directly reference their relationship, preserving their story in pop culture. When listeners engage with these songs, they indirectly encounter Blake’s story as well.
Blake’s story also reflects what happens when addiction, fame, and tabloid pressure collide. His experience demonstrates how quickly public opinion can turn against someone and how difficult it can be to rebuild a life after public shaming.
Some in recovery circles see Blake’s story as a sign that change is still possible—even after everything. His willingness to acknowledge past mistakes while working toward a better future resonates with many on similar journeys.
Final Thoughts
Blake’s story proves that people can’t be summed up in headlines. While often reduced to “Amy’s ex-husband” or “bad influence,” his full story encompasses more nuance. From his early relationship with Amy through his legal troubles, fatherhood, and attempts at rebuilding, Blake’s journey reflects struggle and resilience.
The Blake of 2025 bears little resemblance to the young man who appeared in tabloid photos with Amy almost two decades ago. While his past cannot be erased, his efforts to move forward suggest a desire for redemption that resonates beyond celebrity gossip.
As Amy Winehouse’s music continues touching new generations of listeners, Blake remains connected to her legacy. Their relationship, immortalized in her lyrics, ensures neither will be forgotten—for better or worse.
His story isn’t over—and for now, it’s one of quiet rebuilding. Whether he ultimately finds lasting peace and stability remains to be seen, but his journey continues beyond the headlines that once defined him.
