Troy Dendekker, a mother of four and a musician, actively advocates against drug use. She gained fame as the wife of Bradley Nowell, an American guitarist and lead singer of the band Sublime. Her husband, Bradley Nowell, tragically passed away in 1996 due to a heroin overdose while on tour with Sublime in a San Francisco hotel.
Troy Dendekker Career
Troy Dendekker has only revealed a small part of her career to the public. She did mention that she used to be a singer in a band. However, she is better recognized as the wife and widow of her late husband, Bradley Nowell. Bradley was the main guitarist, singer, and frontman of the ska punk group, Sublime.
After Bradley’s passing, Troy took charge of negotiations with the band’s record label and entertainment executive Paul Ruffino. Together, they formulated a documentary film detailing the remarkable journey of her late husband and Sublime. However, this project faced delays due to the process of settling Bradley’s estate.
After some time, Troy teamed up with Courtney Love, and the two appeared on several TV shows. Their goal was to promote a drug-free America and distance drugs from the music scene. They actively worked to dispel the allure of drug use. Notably, in 2013, Troy received a Young Creator Award for her efforts.
Troy Dendekker and Bradley Nowell’s Relationship
The former couple crossed paths during Bradley’s early 1990s tour. They began dating and their love deepened over time. After dating for several years, Troy and Bradley made the choice to marry. During their dating period, they had already shared an intimate connection, which resulted in the birth of their child.
Troy became pregnant and welcomed Jakob James Nowell on June 25, 1995. Following Jakob’s birth, they decided to proceed with their wedding plans. On May 18, 1996, in Las Vegas, they had a Hawaiian-themed wedding. Tragically, only a week after their wedding, Bradley passed away due to an overdose.
Jakob James Nowell
Despite not having had much time to bond with his late father, Jakob, the son of Troy and Bradley, chose to walk a similar path. Jakob, now 25 years old, formed his own band named LAW. There he takes on the roles of main vocalist and guitarist.
In LAW, Jakob collaborates with other talented musicians: Logan Spellacy as the bassist, Aidan Palacio as the lead guitarist, and Nick Aguilar as the drummer. While Jakob is carrying forward his father’s musical legacy, he has emphasized that his band’s style and origins differ significantly from his father’s band, showcasing unique fashion and musical identity.
About Bradley Nowell
Born on February 22, 1968, in Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California, Bradley Nowell found his passion in the music industry. This passion led him to become the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Sublime. He co-founded in 1988 with Bud Gaugh as the drummer and Eric Wilson as the bassist. Even before Sublime, Bradley had played in various other bands.
Sublime’s first album, “Jah Won’t Pay the Bills,” debuted in 1991. A year later, they released their second album, “40oz”. This gained significant recognition and sales. In the same year, 1992, they came out with another successful album called “To Freedom”.
This album achieved two platinum certifications in the US and reached No. 140 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their next release, “Robbin’ The Hood,” came out in 1994 and was also certified gold in the US.
Following Bradley’s passing, Sublime released a final self-titled album. This album became a major success, surpassing their previous works and reaching No. 13 on the American Billboard 200 chart.
Bradley Nowell’s Death
Before meeting Troy, Bradley battled drug addiction and struggled with difficult times. However, their relationship marked a positive change, as Bradley refrained from using illegal drugs, including heroin, while they were together.
Sadly, on May 25, 1996, only a week after their wedding, people found Bradley dead at the Ocean View Motel in San Francisco. The cause of his untimely passing was a heroin overdose. Despite their efforts to promote his sobriety, Bradley couldn’t fully overcome his addiction.
Tragically, during a five-day tour in Northern California followed by European and East Coast shows, Bradley was found lifeless on the floor near his bed at the motel. It was their drummer, Bud, who made the devastating discovery.
Troy Dendekker’s New Relationship
Following Bradley’s passing, Troy faced immense difficulties and became a focal point of media attention. Over time, she managed to rebuild her life and find a sense of normalcy alongside her son, Jakob. Eventually, Troy felt ready to open her heart to love once more, with the goal of providing a complete family for Jakob.
Troy’s second marriage, this time to Kiki Holmes, was a private affair, witnessed only by their closest friends and family. Their relationship has been characterized by happiness and unity, devoid of any rumors regarding extramarital affairs or divorce. As of now, Troy and Kiki are happily married. And, November 2020 marked their 18th year of a blissful union.
Troy Dendekker Social Media Presence
Troy Dendekker maintains a limited presence on social media, primarily using Instagram to share pictures of her son and husband. However, she isn’t highly active on the platform, as she values spending more quality time with her family. Her Instagram handle is @mamatroypma.
Summing Up
While Troy hasn’t publicly disclosed her previous careers, she has managed to accumulate a respectable amount of wealth from her various pursuits. As of 2020, her estimated net worth exceeds $1 million, which includes a significant portion of the assets inherited from her late husband.
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