Paul McGuigan Wife: Who Is He Married To? (2026)

Paul McGuigan, better known as "Guigsy," was the original bassist and a co-founder of Oasis, the Manchester Britpop band that defined the 1990s. While his bandmates made tabloid headlines for their marriages and divorces, McGuigan kept his private life almost entirely out of the press. He has been married to his wife, Ruth McGuigan, since 1997.

Who Is Ruth McGuigan?

Ruth McGuigan is the wife of former Oasis bassist Paul McGuigan. The couple married on 4 April 1997 on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, at the height of Oasis's global fame. Unlike the wives and partners of Liam and Noel Gallagher, Ruth never courted publicity and has remained a private figure throughout her husband's career and beyond it.

The timing of the wedding is notable: it took place between the recording of (What's the Story) Morning Glory? and the chaotic Be Here Now tour cycle, when Oasis were arguably the biggest band in Britain. Despite the intense media circus surrounding the band, the McGuigans managed to keep the ceremony a quiet affair.

Marriage Timeline

Paul and Ruth McGuigan's relationship long predates Oasis's fame, and their marriage has lasted nearly three decades. Key milestones include:

4 April 1997: Paul and Ruth marry on Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.
1997: Ruth gives birth to their son, Patrick, during the Be Here Now touring period. McGuigan was present at the birth but had to rejoin the tour within a week.
November 1999: McGuigan quits Oasis for the second and final time, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Present: The couple lives in Mill Hill, North London, where McGuigan occasionally works as a DJ.

McGuigan has been open about the fact that family life was a decisive factor in his departure from Oasis. In a 2001 interview he said he had been considering quitting as far back as the Be Here Now tour, when he was forced to leave his newborn son for the road. When fellow founder Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs left the band in 1999, McGuigan followed weeks later, reportedly quitting by fax.

Children

Paul and Ruth McGuigan have one son, Patrick McGuigan, born in 1997. Very little is publicly known about Patrick, as the family has guarded his privacy. He was born during the Be Here Now tour, and his father has described being away from his young family as one of the factors that made touring unbearable.

Career Highlights

Paul McGuigan (born 9 May 1971 in Manchester) co-founded Oasis in 1991 with Paul Arthurs, Tony McCarroll, Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, initially under the name The Rain. He played bass on the band's rise to fame, though Noel Gallagher frequently re-recorded his bass lines in the studio — Definitely Maybe (1994) reportedly features no McGuigan bass at all.

He left Oasis in 1999 and was replaced by Andy Bell. Since leaving, McGuigan has lived quietly: he occasionally DJs, declined to appear in the 2004 Definitely Maybe DVD (though a polite letter explaining his reasons appears as a hidden extra), and co-wrote a biography of footballer Robin Friday, The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw, with journalist Paolo Hewitt. A lifelong Manchester City supporter, he is known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of football and cricket.

FAQ

Is Paul McGuigan married?

Yes. Paul McGuigan has been married to Ruth McGuigan since 4 April 1997.

Does Paul McGuigan have children?

Yes. He and his wife Ruth have one son, Patrick, born in 1997.

Why did Paul McGuigan leave Oasis?

He left in November 1999, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family and that being in the band had stopped being fun. Noel Gallagher claims McGuigan quit by fax.

What is Paul McGuigan doing now?

He lives in Mill Hill, North London, with his wife and son, and occasionally works as a DJ. He stays out of the music industry spotlight.