Sally Wood has candidly detailed her husband Ronnie’s secret cancer battle, saying the couple ‘tried to keep as positive as possible’.
The actress, 43, also praised the Rolling Stones guitarist in a new interview with Hello! magazine, saying he has ‘incredible strength and determination’.
It was revealed last month that Ronnie, 73, had been given the all-clear after being diagnosed with small cell cancer in lockdown. He also battled lung cancer in 2017.
Candid: Sally Wood has detailed her husband Ronnie’s secret cancer battle, saying the couple ‘tried to keep as positive as possible’
Speaking with Hello!, Sally said: ‘We tried to keep as positive as possible and put our trust in the doctors and followed their instructions and advice.
‘We can’t thank the doctors enough for everything they did and all the support they gave us.’
She added: ‘You have to be as positive as you can and believe that everything will be OK. Ronnie’s an amazing person with incredible strength and determination.
‘He read his meditation books and we focused on his treatment, his sobriety and resting as much as possible.
Strong couple: The actress, 43, also praised the Rolling Stones guitarist, saying he has ‘incredible strength and determination’ (pictured together in February 2020)
‘You just have to keep going and not dwell on any negatives for too long.’
Sally and Ronnie married in 2012 and welcomed twin girls in 2016 – Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, four.
Ronnie revealed he secretly battled cancer for the second time during lockdown last month after being diagnosed with small cell cancer.
Announcing the news, the star explained that he’s since ‘come through with the all-clear’.
It is the second time Ronnie has beaten cancer after previously being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, resulting in part of his lung being removed during a five-hour operation.
Health: It was revealed last month that Ronnie, 73, had been given the all-clear after being diagnosed with small cell cancer in lockdown (pictured in 1982)
The father-of-six told The Sun: ‘I had small cell more recently that I fought in the last lockdown. Throughout my recovery, you have to let it go. What will be will be, it’s nothing to do with me.’
He added: ‘All I can do is stay positive in my attitude, be strong and fight it, and the rest is up to my higher power.’
Read the full interview with Sally in Hello! magazine, out now
In 2017, Ronnie successfully fought lung cancer after 54 years of smoking 25 to 30 cigarettes a day. After having part of his lung removed he confirmed he was cancer free in 2018.
The musician credited new limited-edition signed prints of his artwork with helping him through his recovery.
Ronnie – who spent lockdown with his theatre producer wife Sally and their twin girls created a piece called Affirmation while fighting the disease.
It bears the words: ‘When I take care of myself I can achieve anything’.
It comes after Ronnie was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to music in April.
The musician received the accolade which is offered by the City of London Corporation to celebrate a significant achievement within a particular industry.
In a statement the rocker said that the award has made Sally and their girls ‘very proud’.
Family: Sally and Ronnie married in 2012 and welcomed twin girls in 2016 – Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, four (Sally and Ronnie are pictured in March 2020)
Ronnie’s successful music career has spanned over five decades, starting out with bands Faces and the Jeff Beck Group before joining The Rolling Stones from 1975 onwards.
Speaking of the recognition, Ronnie said: ‘My Lord Mayor, Lord Chamberlain, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am humbled and honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of London.
‘As a child, I saw the city from the canals and over the years I’ve seen it from many different perspectives.
‘Despite my career in music and art taking me all over the world, I am never happier than when coming home to this great city where I was born.
‘It is a lovely surprise to be recognised with this award and it has made me, Sally, and my twin girls Alice and Gracie very proud.
Recovering: Ronnie revealed his small cell cancer diagnosis last month and explained that he’s since ‘come through with the all-clear’
‘I very much hope to come and meet you in person at the Guildhall when circumstances allow.’
In his personal life, Ronnie was married to Jo Wood for 26 years before their separation and subsequent divorce in 2011.
The former couple are parents to three children; Leah, 41, an accomplished singer, Jamie, 45, and Tyrone, 36.
Ronnie married actress and producer Sally, his third wife, in 2012. The couple welcomed twin daughters Gracie and Alice in 2016.
Art: The musician credited new artwork with helping him through his recovery (pictured: Ronnie with a tapestry he created in August)
The rocker and his new wife Sally first met just over a decade ago, when she was working at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and Ronnie was still married to ex wife Jo.
The couple wed in an intimate ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London in December 2011 after a six-month romance, with Rod Stewart serving as the groom’s best man.
On expanding their family, brunette beauty Sally said in an interview with The Mirror newspaper: ‘I’d love to have twins again.
‘We’d be very happy if more arrive. Twins are much easier because they play together… We are good to go. I’m 40 now but you never know.’
Read the full interview in Hello! magazine, out now.
Together: The rocker and his new wife Sally first met just over a decade ago, when she was working at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (pictured in December 2019)