Susan Holmes-Mckagan

The model mum welcomes us into their L.A. Home to talk romance, reunions and their rosy family life.

Rock star marriages don’t have the best reputation when it comes to lasting love and romance. But it’s clear, as they celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary this week, that Guns N’ Roses founding member and legendary bassist “Duff” McKagan and his stunning model and swimwear-designer wife Susan Holmes-McKagan are every bit as devoted as the day they said “I do”.

“People tease us that we’ve actually been together for about a century because Hollywood years are like dog years,” says Susan, 45, laughing, as she invites hello! into the couple’s beautiful Los Angeles home on the edge of Bel-Air, which they share with daughters, Grace, who turned 20 this week, and 17-year-old Mae.

“I found my ‘happily ever after’ when I met Duff,” she adds. “He’s my best friend, my better half and my beautiful true-blue dude.”

With family time precious, hello!’s private audience with one of the rock world’s coolest clans during a rare period of downtime is all the more appreciated because 53-year-old Duff has spent the past 16 months on tour as part of one of the most excitedly anticipated reunions of all time.

The Not In This Lifetime… tour has seen him and fellow Guns N’ Roses icons Axl Rose and Slashaka Saul Hudson – perform together on stage for the first time in 23 years, playing to sell-out crowds and stadiums all over the world, including the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada and Latin America.

Little wonder, then, that the happy home life Duff has with Susan and their daughters is something he guards closely.

“Home means everything to me,” he tells us. “Since the day I met Susan, she has maintained a calm that anchors not only me, but the girls as well.