Sir Tom Jones and Melinda Rose “Linda” Woodward were children when they first met, with an age difference of only seven months. Tom, who was the older one, recalls being in love with Linda from when she was 12 years old, but he asked her on a date when she was only 15.
Tom, desperate to see Linda, would plan his trips to the shop to coincide with hers so they could hang out, talk, or go to the pictures. The “She’s a Lady” singer was not the only boy attracted to Linda, and he had to stay alert not to lose her to his competitors.
Tom Jones at home with his wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward in Sunbury in Surrey in 1967 | Source: Getty Images
In his autobiography “Over the Top and Back: The Remarkable Autobiography from a National Treasure,” Tom mentioned how he had to be in the right place at the right time to ensure nothing developed between Linda and the boys who would walk her home.
Luckily, Tom said his efforts paid off because Linda was attracted to him too, though there was one boy who gave him stiff competition:
“And fortunately, she seems to be as keen on me as I am on her, so it happens between us fairly smoothly, without too much anxiety and heartache.”
Tom Jones with his wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward at London’s Hanover Square in March 1965 | Source: Getty Images
Tom and Linda spent their first meetings talking to each other about everything. The singer would whistle outside Linda’s house to catch her attention so she could come out and spend time with him. One night, when everyone had gone to bed, Tom stood outside Linda’s house and sang to her.
Tom said that he fell in love with Linda even before their relationship got physical. He remembers lying in bed sick with tuberculosis, which had him bedridden for two years. Despite the illness, he could still feel a physical heartache from being unable to see Linda. He disclosed:
“I longed to be with this person; even at 11 or 12 years old, I had a pain in my chest for this person. I couldn’t wait to get out of bed…and see this girl.”
Tom Jones and his wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward house hunting in London in March 1965 | Source: Getty Images
One evening, Linda informed Tom that she had missed her period. Tom casually told her that maybe it was just late, but he was wrong as they soon learned that at 15 years old, Linda was pregnant. With no sex education in schools back then, Tom said they had no way of knowing how to have safe sex.
On learning of the pregnancy, Tom and Linda chose to get married, but age and living conditions proved to be formidable barriers. Linda was legally too young to marry as she was yet to turn 16. The couple also had no place to live after getting married, as they could not afford to rent a place of their own.
Eventually, their families agreed to let them get married when Linda turned 16. However, they would have to stay apart after their wedding, with Linda still living with her parents and Tom staying at his father’s place.
Tom Jones pictured with his wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward after arriving from France on April 8, 1965 | Source: Getty Images
Tom also spoke of the birth of his first child in his autobiography. He said that he was not at the hospital with Linda when she was in labor. However, he called in twice, and the first time, the baby was not yet born.
However, on the second call, he was told, “Congratulations, your wife has given birth to a baby boy.” Tom later went to see his wife on the evening she gave birth. He took with him fruits in a shopping bag for Linda.
Tom Jones and his family, wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward and son Mark Woodward, moving into their new home Sunbury in Surrey on July 12, 1967 | Source: Getty Images
Tom was shocked when he first saw the baby because the infant had a dent in his head. However, the doctors assured him that the head would round out as some babies get a bit squished during birth.
The singer said he could not forget how he felt when he first held his son. He described the feeling as unforgettable and an overwhelming rush that seeped right through a person. The couple named their son Mark Woodward.
Tom Jones and Mark Jones attend the amfAR Cannes Gala 2019 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France on May 23, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Tom has, on multiple occasions, spoken about his relationship with Linda. The singer had many affairs and confessed to being a “lady’s man” in a song called “The Road,” released in 2008. Tom admitted to having wandered many times but always returning to his wife.
The singer’s love for women was common knowledge. It was even rumored that he would entertain groupies and lap dances from 21-year-olds during his tours. Tom also admitted to sleeping with up to 250 women a year during his lothario period.
Tom Jones’ wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward at the couple’s home in Los Angeles on January 3, 1969 | Source: Getty Images
Linda endured everything, including the affairs, and Tom says that he is grateful his wife stuck with him for the duration of their marriage. In 2009, the “Delilah” singer said in an interview with Associated Press that the two understood each other:
“Our marriage overcame everything else. I never wanted to leave her and she never wanted to leave me…she said look, as long as you come back home to me.”
Tom Jones holding hands with his wife Melinda “Linda” Woodward in London in March 1965 | Source: Getty Images
Linda also supported Tom even during the times he spent on the road. Tom says Linda would call her every day when he was away. The couple was so used to each other due to Linda’s frequent calls that they would feel as if they were together as much as they were physically apart.
In an interview with CBC in 2015, Tom described Linda as a part of himself. He said the two were still in love despite spending nearly 60 years together.
Tom Jones attends the Brit Awards 2020 at the O2 Arena in London, England on February 18, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Tom is also a romantic as he saved the telephone box Linda and he used to make out in at the end of their street in Treforest. He had the telephone booth moved to their house in Los Angeles, next to the pool, when he heard the council wanted to remove it.
Tom Jones performs on stage at the 02 Arena in London, England on March 03, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Linda led a much quieter life in contrast to Tom’s public one. She preferred the solitary life at the couple’s home in Beverly Hills to Tom’s life which consisted of touring the world. The couple spent months apart as Tom was dedicated to filming “The Voice” in London.