Heather Locklear will always be Amanda Woodward from Melrose Place, but the actress’s off-screen life—marriages to Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora, a bipolar diagnosis, and a 2018 psychiatric hold—tells a far more complicated story. This article compiles verified reports on her career, relationships, and current status.
Born: September 25, 1961 ·
Known for: Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place ·
Children: 1 (Ava Sambora) ·
Marriages: 2 (Tommy Lee, Richie Sambora) ·
Instagram followers: 372K
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (unconfirmed by medical source)
- Current romantic partner is not confirmed
- Exact current health status remains private
- Whether she will return to acting is unknown
- Daughter Ava completing doctoral studies at Pepperdine
- No announced acting projects as of 2025
- Family support reportedly stable
The following table summarizes key biographical facts.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | September 25, 1961 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Notable role | Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place |
| Children | Ava Sambora (born 1997) |
| Marriages | Tommy Lee (1994–1995), Richie Sambora (1994–2007) |
| Instagram followers | 372K |
What is Heather Locklear diagnosed with?
Details of her 2018 hospitalization
- In 2018, Locklear was placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold after a mental breakdown at her home, according to Oxygen. That initial hold was later extended by 14 days.
- Reports indicate she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has struggled with substance abuse, as noted by Oz Insightly (Oz Insightly).
- She entered an inpatient rehabilitation facility in May 2019, per a Yahoo Entertainment / PEOPLE syndicated report.
Ongoing treatment and recovery
- A 2020 report from Wonderwall stated Locklear celebrated a year of sobriety.
- In 2025, a fan report from a Toronto Fan Expo reunion described her as appearing healthy and stable, per Oz Insightly.
The pattern: Locklear has faced serious health crises that triggered public intervention, but her trajectory shows extended periods of stability between those events.
How is Heather Locklear doing today?
Current public appearances and social media activity
- Locklear maintains an active Instagram presence with 372K followers, where she occasionally shares personal posts.
- In a 2024 Instagram post, she wrote “Happy Birthday to my favorite person on earth! You are stronger, smarter, and…” referring to her daughter Ava, according to People.
- She appeared publicly at a Toronto Fan Expo reunion with Michael J. Fox, described as looking healthy/stable, based on a Oz Insightly report.
Recent legal and personal developments
- In 2019, Locklear faced charges of DUI and hit-and-run, per public records.
- She reunited with ex-husband Richie Sambora at their daughter Ava’s wedding in May 2026, as reported by Page Six.
- Both parents attended Ava’s graduation from a master’s program in family therapy, according to an exclusive from People.
Why this matters: Locklear’s public appearances suggest she is managing her health, and her daughter’s milestones have served as reuniting events for the family.
Heather Locklear has faced serious health crises, but the consistent presence of family support and achievements—especially Ava’s wedding and academic success—indicate a network that helps maintain stability.
Who is Heather Locklear seeing now?
Her relationship history after Richie Sambora
- After her divorce from Richie Sambora in 2007, Locklear was linked to Lorenzo Lamas in the past, but details are minimal.
- She has not confirmed any romantic partner as of 2025.
Current reported dating status
- As of 2025, there is no confirmed partner, per entertainment sources.
- Her recent years have focused on family—particularly her daughter Ava’s milestones.
For fans following Locklear’s life, the silence on her romantic status may be intentional: maintaining privacy after a decade of legal and health headlines could be a deliberate strategy for recovery.
The implication: Locklear’s privacy may be intentional, shielding her recovery from public scrutiny.
Who did Richie Sambora leave Heather Locklear for?
Richie Sambora’s current partner
- Richie Sambora left Locklear for actress Denise Richards, according to reports.
- He later married musician Orianthi.
The timeline of their separation
- Locklear and Sambora married in 1994 and divorced in 2007.
- They share daughter Ava, who was born in 1997.
- Despite the split, they reunited amicably at Ava’s wedding in May 2026, as reported by Page Six.
The implication: The end of their marriage was difficult, but co-parenting Ava has kept them connected, and recent events show a repaired relationship.
Do Tommy Lee and Heather Locklear still talk?
Their relationship after divorce
- Tommy Lee and Locklear married in 1994 and divorced in 1995, after a famously short marriage.
- Lee has stated publicly that Locklear was the love of his life.
- They have remained in contact regarding their shared connections, reconciling as friends over time.
Tommy Lee’s statements about Heather Locklear
- Tommy Lee has said Heather Locklear was the love of his life.
- They have reconciled as friends, according to reports.
The pattern: Both of Locklear’s ex-husbands maintain a connection with her—one through co-parenting and friendship, the other through enduring affection.
The timeline below captures major milestones.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1961 | Born Heather Deen Locklear |
| 1982 | First major TV role on Dynasty |
| 1993–1999 | Stars as Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place |
| 1994 | Marries Tommy Lee |
| 1995 | Divorces Tommy Lee |
| 1994 | Marries Richie Sambora |
| 1997 | Daughter Ava Sambora born |
| 2007 | Divorces Richie Sambora |
| 2008 | Arrested for DUI |
| 2010 | Arrested for prescription drug fraud |
| 2018 | Placed on 5150 psychiatric hold |
| 2019 | Charged with DUI and hit-and-run |
| 2024 | Ava Sambora gets engaged to Tyler Farrar |
| 2026 | Ava Sambora marries Tyler Farrar; Locklear and Sambora reunite |
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Marriages to Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora
- Multiple legal incidents (DUI, drug fraud, 5150 hold)
- Daughter Ava Sambora
- Active Instagram presence with 372K followers
What’s unclear
- Diagnosis of bipolar disorder (unconfirmed by medical source)
- Current romantic partner not confirmed
- Exact current health status remains private
- Whether she will return to acting
“Happy Birthday to my favorite person on earth! You are stronger, smarter, and…”
— Heather Locklear, in a 2024 Instagram post to her daughter Ava, as reported by People
Locklear’s daughter Ava was “crushed” and wanted her mother to get better.
— Entertainment Tonight, 2018 report on Locklear’s hospitalization
Two sources, one tension: A daughter’s love and fear during a parent’s crisis. The conflict between Locklear’s public breakdown and her daughter’s emotional response captures the human core of this story.
For readers following Locklear’s journey, the key takeaway is that her life has been defined by both serious struggles and a loyal family network that has rallied around her. The pattern suggests that while her health battles are real, her daughter Ava’s milestones have become anchoring events that bring the family—including ex-husbands—together.
pagesix.com, nationaltoday.com, pagesix.com, mundoamerica.com, people.com, ozinsightly.com
Frequently asked questions
How old is Heather Locklear?
Heather Locklear was born on September 25, 1961. She is 63 years old as of 2025.
Does Heather Locklear have children?
Yes, she has one daughter named Ava Sambora, born in 1997, with ex-husband Richie Sambora.
Who are Heather Locklear’s ex-husbands?
She was married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee from 1994 to 1995, and to Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora from 1994 to 2007.
What legal issues has Heather Locklear faced?
Locklear has faced several legal incidents: a DUI arrest in 2008, prescription drug fraud in 2010, a 2018 5150 psychiatric hold, and a 2019 DUI and hit-and-run charge.
Is Heather Locklear active on social media?
Yes, she maintains an active Instagram presence with 372K followers, where she shares personal posts and family updates.
What is Heather Locklear’s most famous role?
She is best known for playing Amanda Woodward on the 1990s prime-time soap Melrose Place (1993–1999), as well as her earlier role on Dynasty.
For fans who have followed Locklear from her Melrose Place days to today, the choice—or consequence—is clear: She has traded the spotlight of Hollywood fame for the quieter, more stable ground of family and recovery. Or, to put it differently, the sequel to her story might not be a return to acting, but a different kind of resilience written in her daughter’s successes.
Related reading
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.