Jimmy Barnes went from Working Class Man to a rock and roll legend in the span of a few years. Throughout his successes and failures, one thing has remained a constant in his life: his family!
Although he has a badass reputation as one of Australia’s top rockers, Jimmy Barnes has a huge heart. It’s evident in how he supports all of his children – including the ones from before his marriage.
In this article, you’ll meet Jimmy Barnes’ kids: Mahalia, Jackie, EJ, and Elly-May whom he shares with his wife Jane.
You’ll also be introduced to his famous son David Campbell and two of his long-lost daughters who he only met almost 40 years after their birth, as well as his “secret” new daughter Katy Lee.
Who is Jimmy Barnes?
Jimmy Barnes (born James Dixon) is an Australian singer of Scottish descent.
At the age of 17, he left a troubled home to join a band that would go on to become Cold Chisel, one of the biggest rock bands in the Australian music industry.
With Cold Chisel, Barnes racked up 14 Top 40 albums and several chart-topping hits such as “Flame Trees”, “Cheap Wine”, “Choirgirl”, and more.
However, due to rising tension between Barnes, the rest of the band, and their management, the group disbanded after a best-selling live concert in December 1983.
Shortly after that, Barnes pursued a solo career. He found incredible success, and 14 out of his 20 solo studio albums to date have made the charts.
In 2019, Barnes released a new album entitled My Criminal Record which reached number one and was also nominated for Best Rock Album at the ARIA Awards.
His most recent album (and 20th) was Blue Christmas, which as its name suggests is a Christmas album!
Who is Jimmy Barnes’ Wife?
Jimmy Barnes is married to Thai-born Jane Mahoney.
The pair met in Canberra in 1979, and Mahoney became his girlfriend and moved in with him soon after. Barnes and Mahoney tied the knot in May 1981 and have been together ever since. Jane is a great singer herself and occasionally performs with Jimmy.
Who are Jimmy Barnes’ children?
David Campbell
Date of birth: August 6, 1973 (age 51)
Mother: Kim Campbell
Like his father, David Campbell is also a singer and stage performer. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Joan, believing her to be his mother. He only found out that his ‘sister’ Kim was his real mother when he was 10 years old.
David and Jimmy have recorded several duets together and perform at each other’s concerts. They also performed together on an episode of Dancing with the Stars.
The 51-year-old is a doting dad to three beautiful kids of his own. You can meet them here.
Mahalia Barnes
Date of birth: July 12, 1982 (age 42)
Mother: Jane Mahoney
Mahalia is the eldest daughter of Jane and Jimmy Barnes. She started her musical career as a member of The Tin Lids, a children’s pop group composed of her and her siblings.
She has also released a few solo studio albums as an adult and has been featured in a few duets with her famous father.
As well as her musical talents, Mahalia has two darling daughters of her own: Ruby and Rosetta.
EJ Barnes
Date of birth: December 22, 1984 (age 40)
Mother: Jane Mahoney
Eliza Jane Barnes a.k.a. EJ is a singer and actress. She was a part of The Tin Lids when she was just seven years old.
She appeared in the 2008 music video short for Liam Finn’s song “Better to Be” and has also sung alongside her father during live performances.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house in February 2024 when Jimmy walked EJ down the aisle to marry her longtime love Jimmy, in front of her nearest and dearest – which included her darling toddler Teddy who was also the ring bearer.
Jackie Barnes
Date of birth: February 4, 1986 (age 38)
Mother: Jane Mahone
Jackie is the only son of Jimmy with his wife Jane.
He’s a drummer, singer, and songwriter. After graduating high school, Jackie toured with his dad as his band’s keyboardist and recorded a few songs with him. Currently, he plays with the Australian rock band Rose Tattoo.
The performer keeps his personal life very private but is believed to live on the Sunshine Coast with his children Bella, Zoey, and Kai whom he shares with his wife.
Elly-May Barnes
Date of birth: May 3, 1989 (age 35)
Mother: Jane Mahoney
Barnes’ youngest daughter, Elly-May is (surprise, surprise) also a singer. She recorded duets with her father, most notably for his Double Happiness album. Elly-May has cerebral palsy, but that didn’t stop her from giving birth to a beautiful son named Dylan.
In 2024, she released her first album No Good, which includes songs co-written by friends and family members.
Ahead of its release, Elly spoke with our sister publication The Australian Women’s Weekly where she described her relationship with her father as like two twin stars: “We’re similar in a lot of ways.”
She also revealed her son “saved her.”
“He helped me look after myself and value myself more. He’s the best person in my life, the sweetest, funniest little goofball. He’s my little buddy…I do everything I do because of him.”
WATCH NOW: Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy Official Trailer. Article continues after video.
Amanda Bennett & Megan Torzyn
This one’s a story worthy of a movie!
In 2010, Barnes found out that he actually had two more children with two different women. Amanda Bennett and Megan Torzyn, who were in their mid-30s at the time, contacted Barnes and he took a paternity test that confirmed he was their father. Funnily enough, Amanda was born in the same year as Barnes’ other son David Campbell.
Both Barnes and his wife have been welcoming to the two new family members. “My kids are all so great that when I found out there were a couple more, I felt they would be good people, and they’re lovely girls,” he said.
Katy Lee Carroll
Date of birth: Unknown
Mother: Unknown
On December 23rd, 2024, Jimmy made the shocking revelation that he had a secret eighth child, who had only come into his life five years ago.
“Christmas is all about family and we would like to introduce my daughter Katy Lee, who has been in our lives for the past five years,” he penned.
“Katy is a wonderful woman and since discovering that I was her biological father, our family and extended family have loved getting to know her. It’s been heartwarming to see good relationships growing with her sisters and brothers.”
“We have always respected her very strong desire to keep her family life private and will continue to support her,” he added.
While it is unclear who Katy’s mother is, we do believe that she is working as a real estate agent in Coffs Harbour and grew up in Tamworth.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she is also studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Southern Cross University. Her social media activity also suggests that she has three beautiful daughters.
In a statement of her own, Katy requested privacy, and revealed that she and Jimmy only went public with their connection to one another after an anonymous person threatened to reveal the news if she didn’t.
