Amidst the recent controversy surrounding the sex tape featuring Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons and another woman, Simmons' long time partner, Shannon Tweed has spoken to TV Guide about her "happily unmarried" relationship with the legendary rocker that remains to be solid as they mark 25 years of being together this August.

Former Playboy Playmate Tweed has happily lived with Simmons since 1985.  Although they are not married, they have built a sturdy relationship that has spawned two children, 19-year-old Nicholas and 15-year-old Sophie.  The Simmons-Tweed family is currently residing in Beverly Hills, California and is presently featured on the reality series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which gives viewers a peek into their unusual lives.

But while some people think that Tweed and Simmons' relationship is an “open one,” given Simmons' rocker lifestyle, not to mention his claim to have slept with thousands of women, Tweed asserts that it's nothing like that.

“'Open' has never been a word I've described my relationship as.  And he has never described our relationship as ‘open,' nor has it ever been ‘open.'  He does not have sex with anyone else while we are together.  It's a sore spot for me that people think that.  Anything that you've ever seen... happened before 1983,” Tweed told TV Guide.

When TV Guide asked about her secret of staying “happily unmarried” for so many years, Tweed explains that it's all about being independent.

“It's about being strong enough to have your own life.  That doesn't mean be a nasty bitch who's loud or bossy… it just means be strong in your own sense of self.  You can still be strong and be feminine,” the Family Jewels star said.

To find out more about Tweed and Simmons' unique relationship, catch Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which is currently on its third season, every Tuesday at 10pm on A&E.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TV Guide
(Image courtesy of TV Guide)