Roland Orzabal, a founding member of Tears for Fears, has opened up about the challenging final years of his marriage with his late wife Caroline. He shared how he fell in love with another woman, Emily Rath, before Caroline passed away after an arduous struggle with an alcohol-related illness.
In his memoir, Welcome to Your Life, Orzabal revealed the breaking point he faced while witnessing Caroline’s health deteriorate. He conveyed that although walking away from the marriage might have seemed harsh, he eventually saw a path forward. The musician stressed the importance of sharing his truth, explaining, “I didn’t want to write something false. And also, I always felt that somewhere out there is someone who’s going through what you went through.”
Orzabal met Rath in October 2016 while performing in Colorado. He recalled his immediate connection with her, despite being married and noting differences between her and Caroline. Orzabal was drawn to Rath and described their initial exchanges as a “friendship between two creatives,” which quickly developed into deeper feelings.
Orzabal wrote, “I was falling in love with Emily before Caroline had died.”
Orzabal and Caroline, who wed in 1982, faced difficulties in their relationship as his career progressed. He admitted becoming absorbed in his rock star persona, which added strain to their marriage. Despite attempts at counseling, their relationship suffered.
The situation worsened in the late 2000s when heavy drinking became routine. Despite numerous visits to doctors, the reality of Caroline’s illness was confirmed only after an autopsy, adding to Orzabal’s regret and guilt.
Orzabal struggled with decisions about his future as his feelings for Rath grew stronger. His memoir detailed the internal conflict he faced, stating, “I could choose life, or I could choose death … but I chose life.”
After Caroline’s death in 2017, Orzabal wrestled with guilt and the necessity to carry on with life after loss. He later entered rehabilitation for Ambien addiction, where he began forgiving himself.
In 2020, Orzabal married Rath, and they welcomed a daughter, Eula, in 2025. He acknowledged Rath as an incredible support system, and suggested that Caroline would understand the choices he made.
Orzabal’s experiences reflect the profound complexities of love, loss, and personal growth amidst grief.