Beyond the Mac: Inside Lindsey Buckingham’s Private World as a Father of Three

Credit: Lindsey Buckingham/Instagram

Beyond the Mac: Inside Lindsey Buckingham’s Private World as a Father of Three

The Fleetwood Mac legend discusses delaying fatherhood and finding new inspiration in his children, William, Leelee, and Stella, each forging their unique paths.

While best known as the iconic guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac, one of the best-selling music acts of all time, Lindsey Buckingham also embraces a deeply fulfilling role as a father to three children with his wife, Kristen Messner. The couple, who married in 2000, have built a private family life away from the rock and roll spotlight, a decision Buckingham himself reflects on with contentment.

In an October 2011 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Buckingham, who was 48 years old when his first child was born, expressed gratitude for waiting to start a family later in life. “I did see a lot of friends who were parents and spouses — back in previous decades — who weren’t really there and kind of screwed up their kids and were not there for their family situations,” he remarked. “I got all that other garbage out of the way.” This deliberate approach allowed him to fully immerse himself in fatherhood, a journey that has profoundly impacted even his creative output.

William Gregory Buckingham, 27: The Private Music Aficionado

Lindsey and Kristen welcomed their eldest, son William Gregory Buckingham, on July 8, 1998. Now 27, William has largely maintained a private life, though he made a notable appearance alongside his younger sisters, Leelee and Stella, in his father’s 2009 music video for “It Was You,” which featured intimate home video footage. While William has not pursued music professionally, he is a fervent fan of the art form, albeit with tastes that diverge from his father’s classic rock roots.

“If they want to gravitate toward something musical in a serious way, that’s great too, but I’m not going to push them,” Buckingham told Gothamist in November 2011. He noted his son’s distinct preferences: “They have their own set of reference points. My son burns CD’s all the time of the stuff he likes and it’s completely different. A lot of rap and hip-hop based things.” Despite their different musical leanings, Buckingham has found unexpected inspiration in his children, stating in an August 2024 Instagram video, “The cliche is that children are death to the artist, and that’s not true. It’s just the opposite. I found a whole new landscape to write about.” William made a rare public appearance to support his father at the MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony held at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on January 26, 2018.

Leelee Buckingham, 25: A Diverse Professional Path

Born in 2000, Leelee Buckingham, now 25, is the couple’s middle child and first daughter. Like her older brother, Leelee has largely remained out of the intense public glare that often accompanies celebrity offspring. However, her professional journey, as indicated by her LinkedIn profile, reveals a diverse range of experiences, including roles as an executive assistant and a real estate agent. Leelee is also an active presence on Instagram, frequently sharing snapshots from her travels and moments with family and friends. In June 2024, she made her relationship with Axel Youngdale Instagram official, sharing glimpses into her personal life with her followers.

Stella Buckingham, 21: The Accomplished Equestrian

The youngest of the Buckingham brood, Stella Buckingham, arrived in 2004 and is now 21 years old. Stella has carved out a distinct path for herself as an accomplished equestrian. Her dedication to the sport has led to significant achievements in the competitive world of horse riding. In November 2021, Stella and her horse, Vondel, achieved a remarkable feat by placing in the top 25 at the prestigious Maclay Finals, held at the Alltech National Horse Show, a milestone highlighted by a post on Q of E Farm’s Instagram. Continuing her success, Stella further demonstrated her equestrian prowess in October 2024, securing a first-place finish in a competition alongside her horse, Macho, as documented on her personal Instagram account.

Through their distinct pursuits and individual journeys, Lindsey and Kristen Buckingham’s children illustrate a family grounded in support and personal passion, reflecting the fulfilling “new landscape” their father found in his role as a parent.