Who Is Bret Michaels' Partner? All About Kristi Gibson

Bret Michaels and his partner Kristi Gibson have two daughters

Poison frontman Bret Michaels has his "rock of love" — former model and actress Kristi Gibson.

The pair, who met in the early ‘90s, dated on and off for years before getting engaged in 2010 on the finale of Michaels’ VH1 reality show Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It.

The musician told PEOPLE in 2023 that their relationship is “a continuous work in progress,” and despite calling off their engagement in 2012, Michaels and Gibson are a significant part of each other’s lives.

Gibson frequently attends Poison concerts and is a devoted mom to their daughters Raine and Jorja, who were born in 2000 and 2005, respectively. Over the years, Michaels has praised his significant other for her character and parenting style.

“She’s a beautiful woman. She’s strong. I love her. We respect each other,” Michaels told the CBS Early Show in 2010.

So, who is Bret Michaels' partner? Here’s everything to know about Kristi Gibson and her relationship with the rock star.

She’s from Canada

Gibson was born to George and Lorraine Gibson in British Columbia, Canada. Her father was a hockey player who played for the Cranbrook Royals.

The actress is a proud Canadian who frequently visits home — she has posted about her heritage on Instagram.

She’s a former model and actress

Gibson has worked as a model and actress, most notably appearing as a character also named Kristi in the psychological thriller 1998 movie A Letter From Death Row, which Michaels wrote, directed and starred in.

The film isn't the only time the pair worked together on-screen, though. Gibson was featured in Michaels' 2003 music video for his song "Raine," which he dedicated to his firstborn. The couple also showcased their kid-focused life in Michaels' 2010 reality TV show Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It.

She and Michaels had their first date in 1993

The couple’s decades-long love story started in 1993 when Michaels and Gibson had their first date.

The "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" artist and model did things differently and went on a motorcycle ride to get to know each other.

They have two daughters

Michaels and Gibson have two daughters — Raine Elizabeth was born on May 20, 2000, and Jorja Bleu followed on May 5, 2005. Raine is a model and sports enthusiast, while Jorja is an aspiring hairstylist after recently graduating high school.

Michaels is a proud girl dad. On International Women’s Day in 2023, he posted a sweet tribute to Gibson and their daughters on Instagram.

"As the parents of two incredible daughters, Kristi & I cannot be more grateful for all of the strong, brave, resilient & incredible #women that have helped shape not just our past, but our present & our future and opened up such incredible opportunities for them, giving them such courage & strength to rock on 🤘,” he wrote in the caption alongside photos of them.

Michaels told PEOPLE in 2023 that he “loves being a parent” to Raine and Jorja. "It gives me a chance to be a child myself sometimes," he shared. "They're what's truly important."

Michaels’ brain hemorrhage brought them closer

When the Poison frontman had a brain hemorrhage in April 2010, he leaned on Gibson for support.

“I said, ‘I’m not leaving his side,' ” she told PEOPLE. “I held his hand and told him, ‘It’s going to be okay.’ Just from his eyes, you could tell how much pain he was in. I wanted to take away that pain so bad.”

The first thing on the rock star’s mind was his family. “He was just worried about me and the girls — that’s all he cared about,” Gibson shared. “I was like don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine.”

She was able to stay calm and get Michaels to the hospital quickly. ​​“In most of our world, Bret’s the hero, but in this situation, Kristi was the hero — she saved his life,” Michaels’ friend Pete Evick added.

Michaels and Gibson got engaged on TV

Michaels proposed to Gibson on the finale of his reality TV show, Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It, in 2010, more than a decade after they started dating.

“I love you, and you’ve been unbelievably a big part of my life, and we have two beautiful girls together,” he said to Gibson while down on one knee. “I know we love and respect each other, and I hope that we can find that inner love that we have forever. And I want you to be my wife.”

Michaels popped the question with what the couple called a “friendship ring with mega benefits,” comprised of a cushion-cut diamond with pavé details.

The "Fallen Angel" vocalist had been thinking about asking Gibson before the show but wasn't able to find the right moment, but she told PEOPLE she didn’t need a ring to prove their love.

“I love him for him,” Gibson shared. “I’ve been through everything with him. A ring and a paper wouldn’t make me love him more. I’m just happy he’s alive.”

At the time, their plans included a low-key beach wedding and a big party.

Michaels and Gibson ended their engagement in 2012

The long-term partners called off their engagement in 2012.

“Although the couple have separated they remain great friends and are committed to jointly raising their two daughters,” their rep told PEOPLE.

Gibson and Michaels have a strong partnership

Michaels told PEOPLE in 2023 that his partnership with Gibson is a good fit for them and their family.

"It doesn't come easy. You got to find what works for your relationship," he explained. "We like the same things and like doing the same things, but we also know how to be together — and apart — and then back together again."

Their daughters, too, keep them close. "We're great parents together and we sincerely love our kids,” the rocker shared.

She’s an animal lover

Gibson is a passionate animal lover, specifically of her two rescue German Shepherds — Draco and Casanova — who are frequently featured on her Instagram.

She loves dressing the dogs up for holidays and celebrating their birthdays.

In October 2023, the former actress announced that her eldest dog, Phoenix, died. "Thank you for 14 amazing years of love and protection, you did such a good job," Gibson wrote on Instagram.

Michaels and their daughters are also big dog lovers — a portion of sales from Michaels’ “Rockstar” candle goes to supporting "pets in need."

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