How Did Tom Petty Die?
Tom Petty died of Accidental drug overdose (opioids) on October 2, 2017, at age 66.
What was Tom Petty's cause of death?
Tom Petty was found unresponsive at his Malibu home on October 1, 2017, and died the following day at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. He was 66. The official cause of death was accidental drug overdose from a combination of fentanyl, oxycodone, temazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetyl fentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl. He had been taking prescription opioids to manage pain from a fractured hip he had suffered while completing his final tour.
How old was Tom Petty when they died?
Tom Petty was 66 years old at the time of death.
When did Tom Petty die?
Tom Petty died on October 2, 2017.
Tom Petty Biography
Thomas Earl Petty was born on October 20, 1950, in Gainesville, Florida. He formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1976 and became one of America's most beloved rock acts. Hits like American Girl, Breakdown, Refugee, and Free Fallin' defined a generation of rock radio. He was also a member of the supergroup Traveling Wilburys. He completed a sold-out 40th anniversary tour in September 2017 just days before his death.
Personal Life
Who are Tom Petty's parents?
Earl Petty, Kitty Petty
Did Tom Petty have siblings?
Yes — Bruce Petty.
Was Tom Petty married?
| Name | Married | Divorced |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Benyo | 1974 | 1996 |
| Dana York | None | None |
Did Tom Petty have children?
Tom Petty had 2 children: Adria Petty, Annakim Violette.
What religion was Tom Petty?
Tom Petty was None stated.
What was Tom Petty's ethnicity?
Tom Petty was of English, Irish, Cherokee heritage.
Career Highlights
Albums
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1976)
- Damn the Torpedoes (1979)
- Hard Promises (1981)
- Full Moon Fever (1989)
- Into the Great Wide Open (1991)
- Wildflowers (1994)
- Highway Companion (2006)
Awards
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2002)
- Grammy Award for Best Rock Album — The Last DJ (2003)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2017)
Facts About Tom Petty
- He dropped out of high school at 17 to pursue music full time
- Damn the Torpedoes was recorded while he was fighting his record label in bankruptcy court
- He was a member of the supergroup Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne
- He performed at the Super Bowl XLII halftime show in 2008
- He died just days after completing his 40th anniversary tour with the Heartbreakers
Tom Petty Quotes
"You can stand me up at the gates of hell but I won't back down."
"Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life."
Legacy
Tom Petty sold over 80 million records and is considered one of the greatest American rock musicians of all time. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. His songs are among the most played in American rock radio history. His death highlighted the opioid crisis facing millions of Americans dealing with pain management.
Sources
Last verified: 2026-06-05