Nicholas James Bates, born June 8, 1962

Keyboards, Duran Duran

Nickname: The Controller

Net worth: $60 million

Nick Rhodes, born Nicholas James Bates on June 8, 1962, is an English keyboardist and producer and founding member of Duran Duran. Beyond his work with Duran Duran, he has explored various side projects, including releasing an album with Arcadia in 1985 alongside Le Bon and Roger Taylor. In 2002, he collaborated with Stephen Duffy, Duran Duran’s original lead singer, to form the Devils. In March 2013, Rhodes teamed up with former Duran Duran guitarist Warren Cuccurullo to release the TV Mania side project. He’s also the subject of some mighty wild fan fiction…

Astrology

Early life

Nick grew up “just around the corner” from John Taylor. He went to Silverstream Junior School and Woodrush High School in Wythall, but left when he turned 16 to start Duran Duran with John.

Personal life

Nick Rhodes met Julie Anne Friedman, heiress to the Younkers Department Store fortune, at a yacht party during an American tour in 1982. They married on August 18, 1984, and had a daughter, Tatjana Lee Orchid, born on August 23, 1986. Despite attempting to reconcile after a brief separation, the couple ultimately divorced in 1992. Over the years, Rhodes has had several long-term relationships but has not remarried.

Nick’s Daughter Tatjana Lee Orchid

Nick and Julie Anne’s only child, Tatjana Lee Orchid Rhodes (Or Bates, or Friedman?), was born into the Duran world on August 23, 1986, at the height of her father’s fame. She’s a smart and talented (award-winning!) movie editor, Bafta member, WFTV member, a dog-mom, and appears to be very close to her human-mom, Julie Anne. She went to Central St. Martins College in London and still lives and work there. Those who know her call her “Taj” for short, and she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, going to concerts, live theatre and art exhibitions. She is not to be confused with actor, model, influencer, and advocate Tatiana Lee who was born with a physical disability, spina bifida, and was also also diagnosed at a young age with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.

Nick Rhodes and His Post-Julie Anne Girlfriends

Nick has dated a bevy of beauties who seem to keep getting younger. He has had relationships, long and short with:

• Alexandra Stama (2023)
• Maria Nefer Suvio, Italian stylist (2011 – 2023)
• Marie Louise Stoffel, Swiss entrepreneur, gallery manager  (2009)
• Meredith Ostrom, actress (2001 – 2009) 
• Mary Gray (2000 – 2001)
• Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (1999 – 2000)
• Madeleine Farley (1991 – 1999)

How tall is Nick Rhodes?

Nick says he’s 5’9″. The media has reported that he’s 5’8″. We think he’s 5’7″…

Height:5 ft 7 in (1.702 m)

Nick’s ex-girlfriend, Meredith Ostrom, stands at 5’8″, and as you can see from this photo, she easily towers over him. Granted, she’s in heels, but we’d bet that even without them, she’s got at least an inch on him. C’est la vie. Nick, as always, exudes his signature style and confidence, proving that it’s not about the height—it’s all about the attitude.

Art

An avid art enthusiast, Rhodes, a former art student, was captivated by the art world early in his career. He befriended pop-art icon Andy Warhol and became part of the Factory scene, frequently attending art exhibitions around the globe. In late 1984, Rhodes published a book of abstract art photographs titled Interference, with many images displayed at London’s Hamilton Gallery. He continues to showcase his photography in British magazines like Tatler and occasionally appears at the Cannes International Film Festival.

Where does Nick Live?

Home: Central London, Chelsea “I love my life in London and won’t ever leave.”

Side and Solo Work

Arcadia was formed by Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes in 1985 as a side project to Duran Duran while John Taylor and Andy Taylor formed The Power Station. Roger Taylor contributed to both projects.

Nick co-produced various songs by other artists, including Kajagoogoo’s debut single “Too Shy,” nine tracks from the Dandy Warhols’ album “Welcome to the Monkey House,” and the debut EP of Riviera F.

Nick’s Favorite Person He Ever Worked With

• Nile Rodgers 

Nick’s Favorite Book Stores

Claire de Rouen on Charing Cross Road.

The Serpentine Gallery bookshop he says, “it is a jewel in the heart of Hyde Park.”

Nick Rhodes Famous Quotes

“I learned how to do makeup pretty quickly. I’m not sure my father was terribly keen on it but I think he thought it was a phase I was going through. I suppose I’m still going through that phase, 40 years later.”

A Few of Nick’s Favorite Duran Duran Songs

• The Chauffeur
• Medazzaland
• Late Bar
• He thinks Skin Trade is Duran Duran’s most under-appreciated song

Nick’s Favorite Albums

• Grace Jones, Night Clubbing
• Sex Pistols, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
• Donna Summer, I Remember Yesterday
• The Beatles, The Beatles
• Public Enemy, Fear of a Black Planet
• Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring
• Michael Jackson, Off The Wall
• David Bowie, Aladdin Sane

Nick’s Favorite Food

• Italian, Lebanese, and Indian food.

Nick Rhodes’s Favorite Movies

• A Clockwork Orange
• The Collector
• Death In Venice
• The Nightporter
• Peeping Tom
• The Criminal Life Of Archibald De La Cruz
• Repulsion
• Zetig
• The Trial
• 8 1/2

Nick’s Favorite James Bond Movie Theme Songs

Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger

Nick’s Favorite Wine

He likes an Italian wine called, Cervaro della Sala. “I suppose my favorite wines are the super Tuscans, which I discovered some 15 years ago, particularly Sassicaia, Ornellaia and [those from] Antinori. I like the whole Chianti region. I think a really good, simple Chianti Classico is usually a safe bet if you’re traveling. I also like a lot of Bordeaux. Read more of Nick Rhodes interview with Wine Spectator.

We think he might also like our Drink Blue Silver cocktail recipe.

Trivia

• Nick’s mom owned a toy store. Bates Toy Shop, in Hollywood Birmington UK
• Nick is long-time vegetarian and occasional pescatarian
• In recognition of his contributions to the music industry, Rhodes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Bedfordshire in November 2011.
• His name appears in Burke’s Peerage under the entry for his second cousin’s family, Lindley-Highfield of Ballumbie Castle, due to his paternal grandmother, Irene Lavinia Bates (née Highfield).
• Nick has never owned a pair of blue jeans
• Nick pushed the button on the world’s first download for sale, 1997’s Electric Barbarella by Duran Duran
• Nick, along with Sheena Easton, presented Michael Jackson with a Grammy award. “It was like a ‘who had the biggest mullet’ competition.”