Jo Wood's Journey from Heartbreak to Healing: 'I'm Not a Victim'

JO WOOD SPOILS ALL ON HER ROCK 'N' ROLL PAST, ROCKER EX Ronnie, AND LIFE AFTER BREAKUP

The 70-year-old former wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood is giving it to us straight - no holds barred! In a candid interview with The Times, Jo Wood reveals all about her tumultuous marriage, wild rock-and-roll lifestyle, and how she's moved on from the heartbreak.

After 24 years of marriage to the 78-year-old rocker between 1985-2011, Jo found herself on the receiving end of some major heartache when they finally called it quits. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, Jo took a bold step: she chose to prove to herself that she wasn't a victim.

"I let myself go completely after Ronnie," she confesses. "I didn't shave my legs, I didn't shave anything... I was just miserable." But, as she puts it, "After Ronnie, I found it's important to say to myself, 'I'm not a victim, I can still enjoy a good life.'"

But, how did Jo handle running into her ex-husband at a Barbados hotel? Well, let's just say, she didn't exactly have a meltdown. In fact, she was rather... matter-of-fact about it all.

"Oh, it was like putting on a comfy pair of old slippers," she laughs. "The editor of my novel wanted more anger, but I refused. The story isn't about Ronnie; it's about me moving on and finding forgiveness."

And forgive her ex-husband Jo did - years ago! In fact, she's been living life to the fullest since their divorce in 2009. "I forgave Ronnie a long time ago," she says with conviction. "You realize that chapter of your life is over, and the universe has something else for you."

But what about her ex-husband's new love? Ronnie's now married to theatre producer Sally, who's no spring chicken herself at 47 (31 years his junior). Jo doesn't seem too bothered by it all, though. "I'm not a stalker," she quips.

Jo and Ronnie share two children together - Leah, 46, and Tyrone - but that's not all; she also became stepmother to Ronnie's son Jesse, 48, from his first marriage. And if that weren't enough, Jo has another child of her own from a previous relationship with clothing entrepreneur Peter Greene.

But we're not done yet! It seems Jo has an open-door policy when it comes to the Rock-and-Roll elite. "I know I can pick up the phone and ring Ronnie or Keith [Richards] if there's anything going on," she says matter-of-factly. "And, yes, I'm fine with them all. We've all moved on."

These days, Jo is living a far cry from her rock-and-roll lifestyle. She's ditched the party scene for an eco-friendly countryside cottage where she lives off the grid - more or less! WiFi is still available, of course.

Jo has traded in her wild ways for homegrown veggies and supplements; she even created her own capsule supplement called Longevity to boost her health. "I didn't have an addictive personality," she explains. "It made it easier for me to walk away from the party lifestyle."

But Jo's not done dishing out secrets just yet! She reveals that her grandchildren have given her a hilarious nickname - "Gangsta Granny." Yes, you read that right!

Jo shares how her two grandkids (Maggie and Kobe) were giggling in the car with her when they asked her about her past antics. "They said, 'Gran, have you done any drugs?' I said, 'Of course I have... but don't do it.' They said, 'We're going to call you Gangster Gran from now on.'"

It seems Jo is being totally open and honest with her family - something she believes is essential for raising kids. "You can't be dishonest; they'll find out eventually," she warns.

Jo's got a lot to talk about these days - and we're hooked! With 10 grandkids in total (four from Jamie, two from Leah, and four from Jesse), it seems like Jo is living her best life after all.