13 things about The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan

Who is Billy Corgan?

William Patrick “Billy” Corgan Jr. is an American guitarist, songwriter, singer and professional wrestling promoter born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He is William Dale “Billy” Corgan Sr. and Martha Louise Maes Corgan‘s son.

Billy Sr. and Martha, who divorced in 1970, have another son named Ricky Corgan. She was born in Chicago to Henry Peter Maes and Concetta Olga “Connie” DiBartolo Maes.

On September 16, 1980, Henry died at age 54. On February 21, 1984, Connie died in Cook County at age 60.

Billy Sr. was born in Illinois to Herbert Corgan and Lillian Ruth Wortham Corgan. Herbert died in Tempe, Arizona, USA on April 12, 1965 at age 64 and Lillian died in Peotone, Illinois on January 3, 2014 at age 102.

After divorcing Martha, Billy Sr. married Penelope “Penny” Andersen, who gave birth to their son Jesse Andersen in 1976. Born with mild cerebral palsy and Tourette’s syndrome, Jesse is the inspiration of The Smashing Pumpkins‘ 1993 song “Spaceboy”.

After Billy Jr. and Penny separated, Billy Jr., Ricky and Jesse lived with Penny. According to Billy Jr., Penny was physically and emotionally abusive.

Billy Jr. is 6’3″ tall. He was a student athlete at Marquardt Middle School in Glendale Heights, Illinois and Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, Illinois.

On March 17, 2025, Billy Jr. turned 58. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. In 1985, he moved from Chicago to St. Petersburg, Florida, USA with his band The Marked.
2. In 1988, he moved back to Chicago and formed the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins with himself as the frontman, James Iha as the guitarist, D’arcy Wretzky as the bassist and Jimmy Chamberlin as the drummer.
3. In 1991, he dated Courtney Love.
4. From 1993 to 1997, he was married to Chris Fabian.
5. From 1995 to 2004, he dated Yelena Yemchuk.
6. On December 10, 1996, his mother died in Chicago at age 49.
7. In 2005, he dated Emilie Autumn.
8. From 2010 to 2012, he dated Jessica Origliasso.
9. In 2011, he, Jacques Baron and Gabe Baron founded Resistance Pro Wrestling in Chicago.
10. He and Chloe Mendel started dating in 2013 and got married on September 16, 2023.
11. Mendel gave birth to their son Augustus Juppiter Corgan on November 16, 2015, their daughter Philomena Clementine Corgan on October 2, 2018 and their daughter Juno Corgan on March 18, 2025.
12. In 2017, he purchased the National Wrestling Alliance, a professional wrestling promotion based in Los Angeles, California, USA.
13. On December 17, 2021, his father died in Illinois at age 74.