Ginger Gilmour: Photographer and David Gilmour's First Wife

Ginger Gilmour, born Virginia Hasenbein, is a British photographer best known as the first wife of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. The couple married in 1975 and divorced in 1990, during which time she documented Pink Floyd's creative process and became an accomplished photographer in her own right, with her work featured in major publications and exhibitions.

Ginger Gilmour, whose birth name is Virginia Hasenbein, carved her own path in the creative world while navigating life alongside one of rock's most influential guitarists. Her story extends far beyond the 'rock star wife' narrative often associated with her name. As a skilled photographer with a distinctive artistic vision, Gilmour developed a career that earned recognition independent of her famous marriage.

Early Life and Background

Born in London to German-Jewish parents who fled Nazi Germany, Ginger Gilmour's early life was shaped by her family's history and artistic inclinations. Her father worked in advertising while her mother was a painter, exposing her to creative environments from childhood. She attended art school in London, where she developed her photographic skills and artistic sensibility before meeting David Gilmour in the early 1970s.

Photography Career Development

Ginger Gilmour's photography career began to flourish during her marriage to David Gilmour. She gained unique access to Pink Floyd's creative process, documenting studio sessions and tour life with an intimate perspective. Her photographs from this era provide valuable historical documentation of one of music's most innovative bands during their creative peak.

Unlike many celebrity partners who remain in the background, Gilmour actively pursued her craft, developing a style characterized by natural light and candid moments. Her work appeared in publications like The Sunday Times and Vogue, establishing her professional credentials beyond her marital connection.

Key Career Milestones	Year	Significance
First photography exhibition	1978	Showcased Pink Floyd studio sessions at London gallery
Published photography in The Sunday Times	1982	Established professional reputation beyond music circles
Featured in major group exhibition	1985	Displayed alongside established British photographers
Post-divorce solo exhibitions	1990s-2000s	Expanded portfolio including landscapes and portraits

Life During the Pink Floyd Years

During her marriage to David Gilmour (1975-1990), Ginger Gilmour experienced both the creative heights and personal challenges of life connected to rock royalty. She lived at Gilmour's country estate, Stokeinteignhead, where Pink Floyd recorded parts of The Wall and The Final Cut. Her photographs from this period capture the band's working process with remarkable intimacy.

While often overshadowed by her husband's fame, Gilmour maintained her artistic identity. She avoided the typical 'rock wife' trajectory by focusing on her photography rather than seeking celebrity status. Her work during this period demonstrates technical skill and artistic vision that earned respect within photography circles.

Post-Marriage Career and Personal Life

Following her divorce from David Gilmour in 1990, Ginger Gilmour continued developing her photography career with renewed focus. She expanded beyond music photography to include landscapes, portraits, and documentary work. Her exhibitions in the 1990s and 2000s received positive critical attention, particularly for her black-and-white landscape photography of the English countryside.

Gilmour has maintained a relatively private life compared to many connected to rock celebrities. She has avoided capitalizing on her Pink Floyd connections commercially, instead focusing on artistic integrity. Her work has been featured in several photography anthologies documenting British cultural history.

Legacy and Cultural Significance

Ginger Gilmour's legacy exists at the intersection of music history and visual arts. Her photographs provide an authentic window into Pink Floyd's creative process during a pivotal era. More importantly, she established herself as a serious photographer whose work stands on its own merits.

For researchers studying British rock history, Gilmour's archive offers invaluable primary source material. For photography enthusiasts, her work demonstrates how personal access can yield historically significant documentation without compromising artistic quality. Her career serves as an example of maintaining creative identity while navigating life in the shadow of extraordinary fame.

Where to Find Ginger Gilmour's Work

While Ginger Gilmour maintains a relatively low public profile, her photography can be found through select channels. Some of her Pink Floyd-era images have appeared in authorized band biographies and documentaries. Her landscape work has been featured in regional British art galleries, particularly in Devon where she has lived for many years.

Unlike many contemporary artists, Gilmour has limited online presence, preferring traditional gallery exhibitions for her work. Photography collectors occasionally find her prints through specialized British art dealers, though she does not maintain an official website or social media presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ginger Gilmour's profession?

Ginger Gilmour is a professional photographer known for her work documenting Pink Floyd's creative process during the 1970s-1980s, as well as her later landscape and portrait photography. She developed a successful career independent of her marriage to David Gilmour, with her work featured in major publications and gallery exhibitions.

How long was Ginger Gilmour married to David Gilmour?

Ginger Gilmour and David Gilmour were married from 1975 to 1990, a period of fifteen years that coincided with some of Pink Floyd's most productive creative years. During their marriage, she documented the band's work on albums including 'The Wall' and 'The Final Cut' through her photography.

Does Ginger Gilmour still work as a photographer?

Yes, Ginger Gilmour continues her photography career with a focus on landscape and portrait work. While she maintains a relatively private profile compared to her earlier years, she has held exhibitions of her work throughout the 1990s and 2000s, particularly featuring black-and-white photography of the English countryside where she resides.

Where can I see Ginger Gilmour's photography?

Ginger Gilmour's photography appears primarily through gallery exhibitions in the UK, particularly in regional galleries in Devon where she lives. Some of her Pink Floyd-era work has been featured in authorized band documentaries and biographies. Unlike many contemporary artists, she maintains limited online presence and does not operate an official website for her photography portfolio.