Keith Richards Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth & Biography

Keith Richards is 82 years old, stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall and has been married to Patti Hansen since 1983. The English guitarist, born on 18 December 1943 in Dartford, Kent, is best known as the co-founder and riff-maker of The Rolling Stones, one of the longest-running rock bands in history.

Quick Facts

Full Name	Keith Richards
Age	82 years old (as of 2026)
Date of Birth	18 December 1943
Birthplace	Dartford, Kent, England
Nationality	British
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Wife	Patti Hansen (married 1983)
Occupation	Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, Author
Known For	The Rolling Stones, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Start Me Up”
Net Worth	Approx. $500 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026)
Years Active	1962–present
Instagram	@officialkeef

Who Is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter and author who co-founded The Rolling Stones in 1962 and shaped the band’s sound for more than six decades. As the group’s guitarist, he wrote some of the most recognisable riffs in rock history, including the opening of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Start Me Up”. Alongside lead singer Mick Jagger, he forms one half of the Jagger–Richards songwriting partnership, often called the “Glimmer Twins”, which has produced a catalogue spanning 24 British studio albums and more than 240 million records sold worldwide.

Beyond the Stones, Richards is known for his unmistakable playing style, built around the open-G tuning of a five-string guitar, and for his resilience, wit and enduring stage presence. He has released two solo albums, published the bestselling memoir Life in 2010, and even appeared on screen as Captain Teague, the father of Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow, in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He remains a defining figure of rock and roll, still recording and touring with the Stones well into his eighties.

Early Life & Background

Keith Richards was born in Dartford, Kent, on 18 December 1943, the only child of Doris and Bert Richards, a factory worker who had served in the Second World War. Music entered his life early: his maternal grandfather introduced him to the guitar, and as a schoolboy he sang in a choir that performed for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. At Wentworth Primary School he met Mick Jagger, a chance acquaintance that would change music history.

The two reconnected in October 1961, while waiting for a train at Dartford station, when Richards noticed Jagger carrying records by Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. Bonding over a shared love of American blues and rock and roll, they began playing together, joined the young band Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, and enrolled around London’s blues club scene. Richards studied briefly at Dartford Technical College and Sidcup Art College, where he met future bandmate Dick Taylor, before music took over completely.

Career

The Rolling Stones took shape in 1962 around Jagger, Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, and their first British number one came in 1964 with a cover of “It’s All Over Now”. The following year, Richards woke in a Florida hotel room with the riff to “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in his head, recorded it on a tape recorder beside his bed, and the song became a worldwide number one. It remains the band’s signature record and a founding document of modern rock.

Across the decades, Richards’ guitar drove an extraordinary run of albums, from Beggars Banquet (1968) and Let It Bleed (1969) to Sticky Fingers (1971) and Exile on Main St. (1972), then the late-career revival of Steel Wheels (1989) and Hackney Diamonds (2023), the Stones’ first album of original material in 18 years. He also fronted his own group, Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Winos, releasing the solo albums Talk Is Cheap (1988) and Crosseyed Heart (2015). His autobiography Life topped bestseller lists and won wide praise for its frank, funny voice, while a Stratocaster given to him in the 1960s, nicknamed Micawber, became one of rock’s most famous instruments.

Richards’ influence extends well beyond his own records. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Stones, has been ranked among the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone, and has served as a model for generations of players who copy his open-G approach. His partnership with Paul McCartney’s generation of British songwriters helped define the sound of the 1960s, and the Stones’ tours still draw stadium crowds around the world. At 82, he continues to record and perform, a living link to the birth of rock and roll.

Facts About Keith Richards

Richards wrote the riff for “Satisfaction” in his sleep and captured it on a bedside tape recorder.
He plays mainly in open-G tuning on a five-string guitar, removing the low E string.
His 2010 memoir Life was a bestseller and won wide critical praise.
He played Captain Teague, the father of Jack Sparrow, in two Pirates of the Caribbean films.
His Fender Telecaster, nicknamed Micawber, is one of the most famous guitars in rock.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is 82 years old. He was born on 18 December 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England.

How tall is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall.

Who is Keith Richards’ wife?

Keith Richards has been married to American model Patti Hansen since 1983. They have two daughters, Theodora and Alexandra.

What is Keith Richards’ net worth?

Keith Richards’ net worth is approx. $500 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2026.

Is Keith Richards still in The Rolling Stones?

Yes. Keith Richards remains the guitarist of The Rolling Stones and recorded with the band on Hackney Diamonds (2023).

How old is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is 82 years old. He was born on 18 December 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England.

How tall is Keith Richards?

Keith Richards is 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) tall.

Who is Keith Richards’ wife?