You’ve seen the grainy 1970s photos. The ones where a striking young woman with feathered hair and effortless Texas style is laughing next to Robert Plant or leaning over Jimmy Page in a dimly lit limo. If you are a fan of rock history, specifically the legendary 1977 Led Zeppelin US tour, you know Audrey Hamilton. She wasn't just another face in the crowd; she was the "road wife" who inspired the song "Hot Dog" and witnessed the peak of rock 'n' roll excess from the inside.
But because she mostly stepped out of the spotlight decades ago, the internet tends to do that weird thing where it assumes someone has passed away just because they aren't posting on TikTok every day. People keep asking: is Audrey Hamilton still alive?
The short answer? Yes. As of 2026, Audrey Hamilton is very much alive and living a much quieter life than her days aboard "The Caesar’s Chariot" private jet.
The Woman Behind the "Hot Dog" Lyrics
To understand why people are still searching for her name, you have to go back to Dallas, 1977. Audrey was just 20 years old—not 17, as the lyrics in "Hot Dog" suggest—when she met the band’s roadies at a local blues bar. Within 24 hours, she was meeting Robert Plant at a hotel. The chemistry was instant.
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She didn't just hang around for one night. She stayed for the whole ride, traveling through Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York. While the press often dismisses women from this era with the "groupie" label, Audrey’s relationship with Plant was described by those who saw it as genuinely passionate. She even once joked in an interview that she’d throw roses on stage during "Going to California," but Robert would make her trim the thorns off first so he wouldn't get poked when he tucked them into his jeans.
Where is Audrey Hamilton Now?
Honestly, the reason for the confusion about her status often comes from the fact that there are several women named Audrey Hamilton in the public eye.
If you search the name today, you might find the incredibly successful Irish pop artist and apparel designer Audrey Hamilton. She’s brilliant, colorful, and very much active in the Dublin art scene, but she is a completely different person. Then there are the various "Audrey Hamiltons" found in recent obituaries—like Mildred Audrey Hamilton who passed in early 2025 at age 94.
The Audrey Hamilton of Led Zeppelin fame, however, has spent the last several decades in Texas. After the 1977 tour ended abruptly following the tragic death of Robert Plant’s son, Karac, Audrey went home. She eventually had a daughter, whose father is reportedly Ace Frehley of KISS, and that was the moment she decided the "rock 'n' roll lifestyle" wasn't for her anymore.
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She chose motherhood and stability over the chaos of the music industry.
Clearing Up the Rumors
There have been various rumors over the years, some claiming she had a falling out with the band or that she "hated" certain members. In a rare 2012 interview, she cleared some of that up. She mentioned that John Paul Jones wasn't exactly her biggest fan—apparently calling her a "home-wrecker"—but she spoke of Bonzo (John Bonham) with a lot of respect, noting how he looked out for her on the planes.
As for the "still alive" question, Audrey has occasionally popped up on fan forums and in private circles to share her side of the story. She’s been approached about writing a book, something fans have been begging for since the 80s, but she’s always been protective of her privacy.
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- Fact: She still lives in Texas.
- Fact: She is not the Irish artist of the same name.
- Fact: She remains one of the few people who saw the 1977 tour without the filter of PR or historians.
Why We Still Care
Rock history is often told through the lens of the men holding the guitars. But the women like Audrey Hamilton provide the texture. They were the ones there when the cameras were off, when the "heroin chic" of the 70s was a reality rather than an aesthetic.
When people ask if she is still alive, they aren't just looking for a heartbeat. They are looking for a connection to an era that feels like it’s slipping away. Every time a legend passes, we look to the survivors to hold the memory. Audrey is one of those survivors.
What You Can Do Next
If you're looking to dive deeper into her story without the fluff, look for the archived interviews on the official Led Zeppelin forums. There are transcripts where she discusses the "SS" hat photos and the reality of life in the Royal Orleans hotel. Also, be careful when browsing social media—most accounts using her name today belong to the Dublin-based artist, so don't let the "New Apparel Drop" posts confuse you about a 70s rock icon. Stick to the historical archives for the real Texas Audrey.