Tom Jones once promised he would never cry — but he couldn’t keep that promise
When people think of Tom Jones, they picture his powerful voice, confident swagger, and timeless charisma on stage. But behind the spotlight lies a love story that spanned over six decades — between Tom and his late wife Linda Trenchard, the woman who stood by him from poverty to fame.
💍 A love born in Pontypridd
They met as teenagers in Pontypridd, Wales, when Tom was just 15. Linda was his first and only love. When Tom contracted tuberculosis and had to leave school, Linda visited him regularly, bringing hope and patience.
In 1957, when Linda became pregnant, they married despite having little to their name. Tom worked as a laborer and sang in pubs at night to support his family. Their son, Mark Woodward, would later become Tom’s lifelong manager.
🌟 Fame and devotion
By the mid-1960s, Tom’s career took off with “It’s Not Unusual.” Stardom brought fame, wealth, and attention — but Linda remained the quiet anchor.
She disliked public life and chose to live in seclusion in Wales, away from the limelight. Tom, meanwhile, toured the world but always kept her close in his heart.
“I always knew I could go home — because Linda was there,” he once said.
💔 The heartbreak of 2016
In 2016, Linda passed away after a long battle with cancer. Tom was devastated. He withdrew from performing and returned to their Los Angeles home, saying:
“I didn’t know what to do. It felt like I’d lost a part of myself.”
After a year of silence, he made a quiet return — not for fame, but to fulfill Linda’s final wish: “Don’t crumble if I fall.”
That promise became the emotional foundation for the song “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall”, featured on his 2021 album Surrounded by Time.
🎵 The song as a promise
Originally written by Bernice Johnson Reagon, the song is simple yet profound. When Tom sings:
“If you fall, I will not crumble with you…”
you can almost feel Linda’s presence in the room.
In an interview, Tom admitted:
“I promised Linda I wouldn’t cry, but I did. I couldn’t help it. She was everything to me.”
🌹 A love that never fades
Today, at over 80 years old, Tom still performs — and still speaks of Linda with the tenderness of a man forever in love.
He’s no longer just the wild performer of “Sex Bomb” or “Delilah.” He has become a living symbol of enduring love and devotion.
Each time he sings “I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall,” he turns grief into grace — reminding us that love can survive even death.