Tom Jones Still Mourns Wife of 59 Years & Has 'Very Special' Bond with Only Legitimate Son Who Looks after Him

Several years have passed since legendary singer Tom Jones lost his wife Linda, but the singer still mourns her demise. Fortunately, his son Mark is always by his side, helping him grieve, even as his illegitimate son Jonathan remains in the shadows.

Tom Jones and Linda Jones' relationship was a match made in heaven. Born in Pontypridd, South Wales, just around the corner from each other, Jones and Linda grew up playing together.

Jones admits that he fell in love with Linda and the two developed a friendship long before they discovered romantic feelings for each other. Eventually, at 16, they started dating and got married soon after.

They welcomed their only child, Mark, a few months later and settled into married life. The first six years were blissful, and to support his family, Jones took a job in a glove factory.

He then worked in construction while pursuing his passion for music at night. Fortunately, at 24, Jones burst into the limelight and gained traction in the music scenes fast.

Soon, the '60s sensation was spending most of his time away from home on tours. Even so, Linda held the fort and supported her husband. Even so, the two remained close and would speak on the phone daily. Jones explained their unique bond:

"She was part of me, and I was part of her. No matter where we were."

JONES STILL MOURNS HIS DEAR WIFE

Jones and Linda's marriage was the epitome of a long-lasting union. Since walking down the aisle as teens, they remained together for nearly six decades. Unfortunately, a tragic instance in 2016 ended their happy marriage.

In 2016, Linda tragically lost her "short but fierce" battle with lung cancer. Jones had been with Linda for most of his life, and they'd done everything together. Now she was gone, and he was devastated!

Speaking for the first time since her demise, Jones told People that losing his wife was a painful experience, and he did not know how to cope with the loss. Years later, he is still looking for ways to cope.

However, he's made a lot of headway in the last few years, including seeing a grief therapist who encouraged him to perform Bob Dylan's soul-searching love ballad "What Good Am I," a song that made him think a lot about his wife and if he'd have wanted things to be different.

During an interview with BBC Sounds, the "Can't Stop Loving You" singer shared that part of him died with his wife, and things have never been the same. He said:

"With my wife dying, I thought my world was over."

For years, Linda kept Jones grounded, even when the fame seemed to get into his head. With her gone, the singer could not help but wonder who would save him from himself. Luckily he had his son Mark, now his manager, to keep him grounded and help him deal with the loss.

JONES AND MARK SHARE A SPECIAL FATHER-SON BOND

Mark has been more than a son to Jones. Besides relating personally, the two also do business together as Mark is his father's manager. He took over the mantle after Jones' manager and friend Gordon Mills died in 1986.

After releasing hit music in the 60s and '70s, Jones' popularity began dwindling. After Mills died, Mark took over as his father's manager. Then 29, Mark attempted to revive his father's career, and two years later, Jones was at the top of his game, flaunting his hitmaking prowess to the world once again.

Mark got Jones to record even better songs with better producers and collaborate with hitmakers such as Jack White, Hugh Laurie, and Maniac Street Preachers. For that, Jones is forever grateful. He shared:

"We have a very special relationship, me and Mark."

Jones says he is grateful that Mark has done so much for his music career but also remains thankful that his son is doing something that makes him happy. "He's not just good at his job, you know. He loves it." He added.

But besides managing his father's career, Mark also takes credit for looking after his dad. He has constantly reigned in Jones' tendencies to go out drinking, often stopping him in his tracks. Mark says:

"I'm always on about his drinking. He knows I mean well, and I know what it means to him."

Besides being one of history's most recognized singers, Jones takes pride in being a grandfather to Mark's two children Alex, and Emma, who Mark shares with his architect wife, Donna.

THE DARK SIDE OF JONES MANY NEVER SAW

After rising to stardom in the 60s, Jones became one of the world's most beloved singers. He spoke to masses worldwide with his music, and scores of fans loved him for it.

However, he had a dark side that could potentially harm those closest to him — his wife and son. As his fame grew, so did his penchant for extramarital affairs.

Some of the affairs that came to light were a reported three-year dalliance with Charlotte Laws, a two-year fling with Mary Wilson of The Supremes, and another with then-Miss World Marjorie Wallace.

Even though his marriage to Linda was not open, the "Never Fall In Love Again" singer admits to having slept with numerous women throughout his career. Still, he insists that the bond he shared with his wife remained, and she was always number one in his life.

His most well-documented affair, however, remains with model Katherine Berkery, which produced his son Jonathan. Initially, Jones denied his paternity of Jonathan until a court-ordered paternity test in 1989 proved he was Jonathan's father.

Following the positive paternity results, Jones agreed to pay £1,700 monthly for his upkeep until his 18th birthday. Even though he met his end of the bargain, Jones only acknowledged his son a few years after he turned 18.

Despite Jonathan's attempts to get Jones in touch, Jones refuses to have a relationship with his love child, who says he does not want anything from Jones except for a chance to sit down with him. Jones says:

"It wasn't something I planned. I was tricked. I fell for the seduction."

Jones says if he'd planned for Jonathan's conception, he would have done something more than just financially.

According to reports in 2019, Jonathan had been homeless on and off for years and admitted to drug problems to help deal with his father's rejection. Even so, Jones remains adamant about not reaching out to Jonathan.