You’ve probably seen a David Hockney swimming pool painting and wondered who made that shimmering, impossible blue — a splash, a dive, a frozen moment of California light, that’s Hockney’s gift. But the man behind those canvases has lived a life as vivid as his colors, from coming out as gay in 1960s London to sketching on an iPad in his 80s.
Born: 9 July 1937 · Age: 88 (as of 2025) · Known for: Pop art, pool paintings, iPad art · Most expensive painting: Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) sold for $90.3 million (2018)
Quick snapshot
- Born 9 July 1937 in Bradford, England (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Openly gay, partner Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima (JP) (National Portrait Gallery (UK institution))
- Most famous works: A Bigger Splash and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Exact net worth (not publicly verified) (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Details of early romantic relationships (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) mentions Gregory Evans, but confidence is low)
- 1964: First trip to California sparked iconic swimming-pool paintings (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- Hockney continues producing art, including iPad drawings, despite needing round-the-clock care (Artnet (art news))
Eight key details that define David Hockney’s identity at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | David Hockney |
| Born | 9 July 1937 (Bradford, England) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, photographer |
| Movement | Pop art |
| Known for | Pool paintings, iPad art |
| Partner | Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima (JP) |
| Residence | Normandy, France |
What happened to David Hockney?
Rumors of his death surface periodically, but they are false. Hockney is alive as of 2025 and still making art. He turned 88 in July 2024 and reportedly requires round-the-clock care for fragile health, yet remains remarkably productive (Artnet (art news)).
Is David Hockney still alive?
- Yes. No credible reports of his death have been published. He continues to work from his home in Normandy.
David Hockney’s recent activities
In 2023–2024, Hockney collaborated with his partner JP on exhibition planning for David Hockney 25 and produced new portrait series drawn from life (National Portrait Gallery (UK institution)). He often works six hours a day, using both traditional media and an iPad (Artnet (art news)).
Addressing death rumors
No obituary or official announcement exists. The rumors appear to be social-media fabrications. As a public figure, Hockney’s health is private, but his ongoing exhibition activity confirms he is still with us.
David Hockney is alive, active, and producing new work. The biggest risk to his legacy is not mortality but the spread of unchecked death hoaxes.
The implication: Hockney’s ongoing exhibition activity is the strongest evidence of his continued survival.
Who is David Hockney’s partner?
Hockney’s long-term partner is Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, known as JP, who has been both his romantic companion and his chief assistant for many years. The National Portrait Gallery confirms that Hockney’s 2021–2022 portrait series “began with his partner, JP” (National Portrait Gallery (UK institution)).
His relationship with John Fitzherbert
Correction: Earlier public records sometimes listed John Fitzherbert as a partner, but the verifiable, institutionally documented partner is Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima. No source in the research notes confirms Fitzherbert as a current partner.
Is David Hockney LGBTQ?
Yes. Hockney came out as gay in his early twenties while studying at the Royal College of Art (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) — note this claim has low source confidence). His openness was notable in the 1960s, and his art often explores queer identity, male figures, and intimate relationships.
Did he have a wife?
No. Hockney never married a woman nor had children. His relationships have all been with men. The most well-documented past relationship is with Gregory Evans, who lived with Hockney in the 1970s (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
For an artist whose work frequently portrays people he loves, knowing his partner helps decode decades of portraiture. The faces in his recent series are not strangers; they are the people he lives with.
The pattern: Hockney’s portraiture is inseparable from his personal relationships, making the identity of his partner crucial to understanding his art.
What is David Hockney’s most famous piece of artwork?
Two paintings dominate public recognition: A Bigger Splash (1967) and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972). Both are California pool scenes that have become visual shorthand for the 1960s Pop art movement.
A Bigger Splash
Painted in acrylic, A Bigger Splash shows a diving board, a palm tree, and the splash itself — but no diver. The composition freezes a fleeting moment of impact. The BBC calls it one of Hockney’s “most iconic pool paintings” (BBC News (UK broadcaster)).
Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)
This painting sold for $90.3 million at Christie’s in 2018, making it the most expensive work by a living artist at the time (Britannica (encyclopedia)). It depicts a swimmer underwater and a clothed man on the edge, believed to represent Hockney’s then-lover Peter Schlesinger.
Other notable works
- Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy (1970–71) – a double portrait of Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell.
- Yorkshire landscapes series (2000s) – large-scale, multi-canvas paintings of the English countryside.
- iPad drawings (2010s–present) – digital sketches exhibited as prints, including “The Arrival of Spring” series.
“David Hockney is Britain’s most celebrated artist working today.”
— Tate Britain museum profile (Tate (UK museum))
Hockney’s most valuable piece is a pool painting, but his most personal art is probably the recent portrait series — drawn from life with an iPad, not a brush. The medium changed, but the subject stayed: the people around him.
The pattern: Hockney’s most valuable paintings are pool scenes, but his most personal work today is the iPad portrait series.
The catch: his commercial peak may coincide with a new creative phase that resists commodification.
What illness has David Hockney got?
Hockney has experienced health challenges in recent years. Artnet reports that he “has required round-the-clock care during a period of fragile health” and that he “remains prolific and often works six hours a day” (Artnet (art news)). The specific illness has not been publicly disclosed. While some older articles mention hearing loss, this claim cannot be verified from the current research notes.
Hearing loss and hearing aids
No authoritative source in the research notes confirms hearing loss. Earlier biographical entries sometimes mention hearing aids, but without a verified source, that detail is not repeated here.
Other health concerns
The only documented health issue is the general fragility noted by Artnet, plus his age (88). Hockney has not announced any specific condition.
Where does David Hockney live currently?
Hockney now resides in Normandy, France, having moved there in recent years. His earlier homes were in Los Angeles and London. The move to France is reportedly driven by tax considerations and a quieter lifestyle (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
His residence in Normandy, France
He lives in a farmhouse property with his partner JP. The region’s light and landscape have influenced some of his recent iPad works.
Previous homes in Los Angeles and London
- Los Angeles (1964–1970s, then periodically after) – the setting for his pool paintings.
- London (early years, then returning for exhibitions).
The implication: Hockney’s geographic shifts mirror his artistic evolution, from California light to Norman fields.
Clarity: What we know and what remains open
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 9 July 1937 (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Sexual orientation: gay (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) — low confidence)
- Partner: Jean-Pierre Gonçalves de Lima (JP) (National Portrait Gallery (UK institution))
- Most famous works: A Bigger Splash and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (BBC News (UK broadcaster))
- He is alive as of 2025 (Artnet (art news))
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth (not publicly verified)
- Cause of death (none – alive)
- Whether he had children (no known children)
- Details of some early relationships
- Specific medical diagnosis (fragility reported but not specified)
Voices on Hockney
“Hockney has made portraits of people he loves repeatedly over many decades.”
— National Portrait Gallery (National Portrait Gallery (UK institution))
“He is a very visual person, and that is the way he understands the world.”
— David Hockney, as quoted in biographical sources
For the art world, the pattern is clear: Hockney’s value as a living artist is built on reinvention. From acrylic on canvas to pixels on an iPad, he continues to shape how we see color, light, and intimacy. For collectors curious about his legacy, the implication is straightforward: his most expensive years may not be behind him, but the best next investment is to look at what he is doing right now.
Related reading: Orson Welles: Biography, Citizen Kane, Cause of Death & Legacy · Mark Twain: Biography, Famous Works, and Key Quotes
astrofella.wordpress.com, myartbroker.com, contemporaryartissue.com, thedranggallery.com, annelyjudafineart.co.uk, youtube.com
Amid recent online rumors, reports have surfaced clarifying the unfounded death hoax that falsely claim the artist died, but Hockney remains active in his Normandy studio.
Frequently asked questions
How old is David Hockney?
He was born 9 July 1937, making him 88 as of 2025.
What is David Hockney’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly verified. Auction sales of his works suggest he is among the highest-valued living artists.
What awards has David Hockney won?
He has received numerous honors, including the Order of Merit (2012), the Royal Academician title, and honorary doctorates from several universities.
Does David Hockney have children?
There are no known children.
What is David Hockney’s connection to California?
He moved to Los Angeles in 1964, and the swimming pool culture inspired his most famous works.
How did David Hockney start his career?
He studied at Bradford School of Art (graduated 1957) and the Royal College of Art (1959–1962) before moving to the US.
What media does David Hockney use?
He works in acrylic, oil, watercolor, photography, printmaking, and digital drawing on iPad.
Is David Hockney still painting?
Yes. He continues to produce new works, including iPad drawings and portraits from life.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.