John Farnham’s Heartwarming Family Bonds Revealed

As news breaks that John Farnham has become a grandfather for the first time, we take a look at the much-loved and supportive family members of The Voice singer. Read on for all the details…

Who is John Farnham’s wife?

John Farnham was just 22 when he first laid eyes on the woman who would become his wife of over 50 years.

Jillian Billman, 17, was a dancer, John was the King of Pop. The pair were performing in the 1971 musical Charlie Girl and from the second he spotted her, he recalled, “I was history.”

Not that she was equally as besotted as her future husband.

“It took me about three months to get a kiss,”John would tell 60 Minutes in 1993. “We started to go out together and it naturally happened. It was just something that happened.”

It didn’t take long for John to propose.

“A lot of people don’t believe in marriage,” John told a reporter at the time. “I personally do.

“I look forward to married life. I’ve always fancied myself as a family man. I always wanted to get married and I love kids. So I look forward to having children and a family and someone to go home to. Someone who I love and who loves me.”When the pair tied the knot in April 1973, there was a swarm of fans and press on hand to witness the event. “I’ve never been happier in my life,” the beaming groom declared.

Jill is notoriously private, rarely accompanying her husband on red carpets. However her sons have often taken to social media to share images of their family life.

How many children does John Farnham have?

John and Jill Farnham have two sons. Robert, now 45, and James, 36.

Robert Farnham was four years old when You’re The Voice was released in 1986, so was witness to his father’s meteoric rise to the world stage. James came along two years later.

Today, Robert is a singer in the band Rival Fire. In addition, he has also dabbled in acting.

He married his long-term girlfriend Melissa Kelly in February 2024. Both Jill and John were proudly in attendance as was younger brother James.

James is also in the music industry. The younger Farnham works as a concert audio technican and has been on tour for several of his dad’s concerts over the years.

Does John Farnham have grandchildren?

Yes! John Farnham became a first-time grandfather on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. And in a touching nod, the newborn bears the middle name “John.”

Born at 5.26am at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, weighing 3.176kg, Jett John Farnham is the first child for the singer’s youngest son, James Farnham and his partner Dr Tessa Effendi.

The news was publicly announced on July 1, 2025 to mark John’s 76th birthday.

“We thought we were excited to meet him – but turns out he was even more excited to meet us, arriving a little ahead of schedule,” the happy couple announced in a statement.

“Jett is our whole world in one tiny, noisy, perfect package. We’re smitten, we’re sleep-deprived, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“He’s already filled our hearts with so much love and we’re so proud and happy for James and Tessa,” John and Jill said in their own statement. “Welcome to the world, Jett!”

The post Inside John Farnham’s sweet family dynamic appeared first on The Australian Women's Weekly .