Who Is Rhona Gemmell? She Was Robbie Coltrane's Partner for over a Decade

Rhona Gemmell was the first woman who became Robbie Coltrane's wife in the late 1990s. However, the former couple dated for over a decade and even expanded their family before tying the knot. Sadly, they separated many years before Coltrane's passing in 2022.

From a young age, Rhona Gemmell's late ex-husband, Robbie Coltrane, took a keen interest in art and literature. He was born to Jean Ross, a teacher and pianist, and Ian Baxter, a general surgeon. He was passionate about music, film, and cars and enjoyed reading.

His acting career began on stage at 12, first performing in "Henry V" at Glenalmond College. The actor went on to study at Glasgow Art School, majoring in painting, drawing, and film before enrolling at Moray House College of Education, where he studied art.

His first onscreen project was a documentary titled "Young Mental Health." It was voted Film Of The Year by the Scottish Education Council. Coltrane then began doing stand-up comedy, a career in which he soared before making his TV debut in 1979.

He'd won a brief role in the British comedy series "Plan for Today," appearing as Jimmy for a single episode. The actor continued landing small and leading roles in TV shows and movies throughout the 1980s and even starred in a 1989 film adaptation of "Henry V," playing Sir John Falstaff.

He mostly appeared in films throughout the 1990s until he got the role of Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" franchise, alongside its stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, and Maggie Smith. It would become his staple, though he took other projects throughout its run.

And as he enjoyed the success of his career, Coltrane was said to have had a colorful love life. However, he became a family man with the only woman who became his wife, Rhona Gemmell. The former couple kept their relationship relatively private but often appeared together at public events.

Robbie's Ex-wife, Rhona Gemmell, Was Often Seen in Public with Him

One of Gemmell and Coltrane's earliest red-carpet appearances was at the 1995 BAFTA Awards in London, England. They made another one in 2001, when "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" premiered in New York City that November.

They also attended the film's London premiere. Gemmell then accompanied Coltrane to the "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" London Premiere in 2002.

Rhona Gemmell Was a Student When She Met Robbie

Gemmell and Coltrane first encountered each other at a bar on 1988's Christmas Eve. The actor had just ended a 15-year romantic relationship and was left reeling after his former beau rejected his marriage proposal.

At the time, Gemmell was still studying and living with her mother. Their son, Spencer, was born four years into her romance with Coltrane. The two completed their family with their daughter, Alice, and married at a register office in December 1999. They lived quietly in a village near Glasgow.

Unfortunately, Their Marriage Ended in Divorce

Gemmell and Coltrane divorced amicably in 2003. "They are apart, and it's sad. It's hard for everyone at the moment, but things couldn't go on the way they were," a friend of the former lovers said.

The insider added that the age difference between them and Coltrane's constant traveling due to work contributed to their split. After their breakup, she left with their two young children and two dogs.

Robbie Found Love Again after Divorcing Rhona

Coltrane kept the details of his divorce private, but he spoke briefly about his relationship with another woman in September 2020, revealing that the romance had lasted 12 years. However, that was all the information he offered about it.

Sadly, he passed away in 2022 after battling a medical condition that severely affected his mobility and kept him in constant pain. The legendary actor had always been open about his health struggles.