Jack White is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer who is best known as the frontman of The White Stripes, the duo behind Seven Nation Army, one of the most famous rock songs of all time. Born in Detroit in 1975, he has also led the bands The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, released six solo albums and won 12 Grammy Awards. He is the founder of Third Man Records, his own record label and studio in Nashville.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | John Anthony Gillis |
| Born | 9 July 1975 |
| Age | 51 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Occupation | Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist |
| Years Active | 1994-present |
| Spouse | Olivia Jean (married 2022) |
Who Is Jack White?
Jack White is a musician known for his raw, blues-influenced guitar playing, his distinctive voice and his fiercely independent approach to music. As the frontman of The White Stripes, he and drummer Meg White released six albums between 1999 and 2007, including the acclaimed Elephant, which featured the Grammy-winning single Seven Nation Army, now a global stadium anthem. The duo’s minimalist red-and-white image became one of the most recognisable in rock.
Beyond The White Stripes, White has led the bands The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather and has released six solo albums, including the number-one albums Blunderbuss and Lazaretto. He has won 12 Grammy Awards in total and is widely regarded as one of the finest guitarists of his generation. He is also a producer, having worked with Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson and many other artists.
Early Life & Background
John Anthony Gillis was born on 9 July 1975 in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of 10 children in a Catholic family. His parents worked for the Archdiocese of Detroit, and as a boy he served as an altar boy and briefly considered becoming a priest. He was accepted into a seminary as a teenager but decided against it, choosing instead to pursue music.
White attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit and trained as an upholsterer, working at an upholstery studio in the city. He played in several local bands in the 1990s, including the garage rock band The Go, and he formed The White Stripes in 1997 with his then-wife, drummer Meg White. He later took her surname as his stage name and became known to the world as Jack White.
Career
The White Stripes released their self-titled debut album in 1999, and their breakthrough came with White Blood Cells in 2001 and Elephant in 2003. The album’s lead single, Seven Nation Army, became one of the most famous rock riffs of all time and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The band released two more albums, Get Behind Me Satan in 2005 and Icky Thump in 2007, which won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album, before disbanding in 2011.
Alongside The White Stripes, White formed the band The Raconteurs in 2005 with Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler. The group released the albums Broken Boy Soldiers in 2006, Consolers of the Lonely in 2008 and Help Us Stranger in 2019. He also formed the supergroup The Dead Weather in 2009 with Alison Mosshart, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence, releasing the albums Horehound, Sea of Cowards and Dodge and Burn.
As a solo artist, White released Blunderbuss in 2012 and Lazaretto in 2014, both of which reached number one on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The title track of Lazaretto won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance. He followed with Boarding House Reach in 2018, Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive in 2022, and No Name in 2024, which he released as a surprise, first selling it in his Third Man Records stores. He founded Third Man Records in 2001, and the label has become a home for rock, blues and country artists.
Facts About Jack White
- He has won 12 Grammy Awards in total.
- Seven Nation Army has become a global stadium anthem, sung by fans at sporting events around the world.
- He trained as an upholsterer before becoming a full-time musician.
- He founded the record label Third Man Records in 2001.
- He married musician Olivia Jean during a concert in Detroit in April 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jack White?
Jack White was born on 9 July 1975, which makes him 51 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Jack White?
Jack White is 1.88 metres tall, which is 6 feet 2 inches.
Who is Jack White’s wife?
Jack White is married to Olivia Jean, a musician. The couple married in April 2022 during a concert in Detroit.
How many Grammy Awards has Jack White won?
Jack White has won 12 Grammy Awards in total, across his work with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and as a solo artist.
What bands has Jack White been in?
Jack White is best known for The White Stripes, and he has also led The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, as well as releasing six solo albums.