Darius Rucker Confesses to Feeling Like a 'Failure' After Split from Wife of 20 Years

Hootie & the Blowfish's Darius Rucker

Hootie & the Blowfish's Darius Rucker got candid about his divorce from wife of 20 years, Beth Leonard.

In a new interview with People, the 57-year-old admitted, "That stuff hurts and you feel like a failure." He added, "But we're still a family—a piece of paper is not going to change that. We're still a family, and that's all because Beth is awesome. She knows it's the best for the kids, and she's a great human being."

Rucker and Beth announced their decision to split in July 2020, but are not officially divorced yet. As for whether he's ready to date again, the musician said he's focused on fatherhood instead, noting, "I'm not thinking about that now. I'm just trying to be the best dad I can be for those grown kids."

The Grammy winner shares two children with his ex: Daniela, 22, and Jack, 18. Rucker also has a 28-year-old daughter, Carolyn, whom he shares with ex Elizabeth Ann Phillips.

Being a good dad is very important to Rucker, as he grew up with an absentee father. "It was tough growing up without a dad. I hated it," he told People. "I had a lot of great father figures in my life, but not having him there was s---ty, and I don't ever want my kids to not know where their dad is or how they can get in touch with him, because I never knew how to get in touch with mine."

He recognizes that, as a musician, he is often on the road away from his children, but he makes sure not to repeat the same mistakes as his father. "The one thing is, [my children] always know where I am. I think thats directly from the fact that I never knew where [my father] was."

Rucker also gave further insight into his dynamic with his children, noting that to them, he's just dad. "They truly don't give a s--t what I do for a living. I'm nothing special. I'm their dad," he said. "

He continued, "They love my music, and they think it's cool, but they'll still be at a show and I'll walk out of the back of my bus, and they'll go, 'Dad, are you gonna wear that?' They love letting me know that I'm a dork, and I love them for it."

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