Fauzia Mubarak Ali – Facts about Cat Stevens' Wife & Their Marriage

Fauzia Mubarak Ali is Cat Stevens' wife of many years. The couple keeps their relationship private, although some details about their marriage and family life have appeared in the media.

Cat Stevens was on his path to fame when he suddenly dropped everything and followed his Islamic faith. He sold all his guitars, steered clear of the music industry, and changed his name to Yusuf Islam. However, that was several decades ago.

The singer has since returned to making music and spending time with his wife, Fauzia Mubarak Ali. Still, he never let go of his faith and has worked in several capacities to help the British Muslim community.

Who Is Fauzia Mubarak Ali?

Fauzia, whose name is also written as Fawziah, Fawzia, or Fouzia, is the daughter of a Surbiton accountant and the mother of five children. When she first met her husband, she knew nothing about him or his music; however, she was a big Elvis Presley fan.

Unfortunately, not much information about Fauzia is known to the public. She has been married to her husband for several decades and has shown her unwavering love and support multiple times.

Her Marriage to Cat Stevens

Fauzia married Yusuf in September 1979 and celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary in 2020. Her loving spouse posted a Facebook tribute at that time, commemorating their milestone with a sweet photo of them.

Before tying the knot and around the time he married, Yusuf changed his life by adopting the Islamic faith and leaving the music scene. Many questioned his decision then, but he claimed he had already found what he was looking for with Islam. He added:

"By that time, I was just so excited. I was learning so many other things. I got married and had so many wonderful opportunities to do things I've never done before because I was always on the road or in the studio."

With no career commitments, Fauzia and Yusuf had the time and freedom to do as they pleased, such as growing their family. Since returning to the music, Fauzia's husband has been mindful of the songs he sings.

He even changed the lines to "Hard Headed Woman" for Fauzia. Instead of singing the lyrics, "I'm looking for my hard-headed woman," he says, "I've found my hard-headed woman," because he shares the reality with his wife.

Fauzia Mubarak Ali and Cat Stevens' Family Life

In 2001, Fauzia lived in a semi-detached home in Willesden with her husband and four children. Around that time, their eldest daughter had just gotten married. They and the groom's parents arranged their daughter's marriage.

Yusuf returned to the music industry and had one of his and Fauzia's sons, Muhammad, to thank for that. Muhammad came home with a guitar one day and began penning songs. Ali's husband said:

"My son helped me come to a better understanding of where music sits in Islamic culture, and I found myself free to sing again [...]. My son broke the taboo for me because he had no hesitation in buying a guitar."

While being a family man and raising their children, Fauzia's husband continued his humanitarian work and Islam education advocacy. Fauzia and Yusuf founded the Small Kindness charity to help orphans, widows, and families amidst the Balkans conflicts. Like Yusuf, another proud Muslim singer is SZA.