Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx: Everything you need to know

19 October 2021, 10:49 | Updated: 20 December 2021, 16:21

Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in Los Angeles, April 1997. Picture: Markus Cuff/Getty Images

Mötley Crüe's bassist and co-founder, Nikki Sixx, is arguably the essence of rock 'n' roll - leading a life fuelled by drugs, sex and excess.

Motley Crue - The Dirt trailer

Mötley Crüe's bassist and co-founder, Nikki Sixx, is arguably the essence of rock 'n' roll - leading a life fuelled by drugs, sex and excess. Netflix had a huge hit in 2019 with the Crüe biopic The Dirt - but how much of the story was true?

Who is Nikki Sixx?

Nikki was born Frank Carlton Serfino Feranna on 11 December, 1958.

Inheriting his name from his father - whom abandoned him as a child - Frank soon renounced the name and officially changed it to Nikki Sixx in 1978.

While he was raised by his mother Deanna Richards, Nikki's relationship with his mum was somewhat tumultuous; he moved in with his paternal grandparents when his mum left him, resorting to vandalism, shoplifting and selling drugs.

At the age of 17, Sixx moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in music.

He auditioned for many bands and was a member of Sister, before co-founding what is now one of the world's most successful rock bands, Mötley Crüe.

Nikki Sixx and Courtney Sixx attend the Premiere Of Netflix&squot;s "The Dirt" at ArcLight Hollywood on March 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California — Nikki Sixx and Courtney Sixx attend the Premiere Of Netflix's "The Dirt" at ArcLight Hollywood on March 18, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Picture: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Did Nikki Sixx die?

On 23 December 1987, Nikki Sixx overdosed on heroin and was declared dead for two minutes before he was revived by a paramedic.

Who has Nikki Sixx been married to and how many kids does he have?

Nikki wedded his first wife and Playboy Playmate, Brandi Brandt, in 1989.

The pair were married until 1996, and they share three children; Gunner (born in 1991), Storm (born in 1994), and Decker (born in 1995).

Just a month after Nikki got divorced from Brandi, he married his second wife - another Playboy Playmate - Donna D'Errico.

Nikki and Donna's daughter Frankie Jean was born in 2001.

Despite several attempts to reconcile their marriage, D'Errico filed for divorce in 2006.

Nikki Sixx was also romantically tied to tattoo artist, Kat Von D, between 2008-2010.

During a holiday to St Barts, Nikki then proposed to then girlfriend Courtney Bingham.

The couple have been married since 15th March, 2014, and she's currently pregnant with Nikki's baby.

Is The Dirt on Netflix?

Netflix launched the Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt on 22nd March, 2019, and it's still available to stream on the platform.

The film, based on the band's memoir of the same name, explores the rock'n'roll lifestyle of the members - and the tragic events that materialised as a consequence.

Motley Crue in March 1984. Picture: Ross Marino/Getty Images

Did Nikki Sixx reconnect with his mother?

The rocker had a turbulent relationship with his mother, Deanna Richards, who passed away in 2013 and Sixx regrets not reconciling with her before she died. "My sister went to her bedside but I wouldn't go," he told The Guardian in 2015. "I said to myself, 'I should probably go,' but I could never connect the string. I called my sister and she said she totally understood if I don't come, and I said, 'I just don't feel that she deserves it.'"

How old was Vince Neil's daughter Skylar when she died and what type of cancer did she have?

When was Tommy Lee married to Heather Locklear and when was his wedding to Pamela Anderson?

Watch Machine Gun Kelly transform into Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee for The Dirt