Dee Snider, the iconic heavy metal musician and lead singer of Twisted Sister, has been married to his wife, Suzette Snider, for over 40 years. While Dee’s music career has been well-documented, his wife’s contributions to the band and their personal life have often flown under the radar.
Here, we’ll delve into the fascinating life of Suzette Snider, from her early days as a teenager sneaking into a Twisted Sister show to her current role as a proud grandmother and devoted wife.
how they meet
Suzette Snider met Dee at one of his shows when she was just 15 years old. She had used a fake ID to get into the concert, not knowing who the band was. Dee, then 21, was immediately smitten with the young Italian beauty.
As he told The Sydney Morning Herald, “I met my wife, Suzette, when she was 15 and I was 21. She turned up to our show on her cousin’s ID and thought she was seeing a girl band. I saw her and flipped. She was this hot Italian beauty. I told her I’d be famous one day. We’ve been together ever since.”
A Creative Force Behind Twisted Sister
Suzette’s contributions to Twisted Sister went beyond just being the lead singer’s wife. She was the mastermind behind the band’s costume design and makeup, creating the iconic looks that defined the group’s aesthetic.
As Dee told KERRANG!, “Suzette started making our costumes. At first, they were very feminine, but she just said, ‘You’re not pretty.’
So she started changing it into sort-of tattered, colorful rags, taking it further and further away from the feminine look.” She also designed the band’s logo, a testament to her creative genius.
A Family Life
Dee and Suzette have built a life together, raising four children: Cheyenne, Jesse, Shane, and Cody. Their kids have grown up and pursued their own passions, from Jesse’s work in comic books and hosting a music podcast to Shane’s visual arts and Cody’s investigative talk show podcast.
Cheyenne, their only daughter, has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a fashion designer. The family has also been featured on reality TV shows, including Growing Up Twisted and Celebrity Wife Swap.
As their children have grown and started their own families, Dee and Suzette have become proud grandparents. Their eldest son, Jesse, has four children with his wife Patty, and Shane has recently welcomed a son, Ronan.
Dee has been vocal about the joys of grandparenthood, tweeting about the birth of his fourth grandchild, Parker, who was born in the car on the way to the hospital.
A Skilled Costume Designer and Hair and Makeup Artist
Suzette’s talents extend beyond her work with Twisted Sister. She holds a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and has worked as a costume designer, hair and makeup artist, and fashion designer.
Her skills have been showcased in her work on Dee’s costumes and makeup for his performances, as well as in her own fashion line, Havoc.
Suzette’s creativity doesn’t stop at fashion. She has also been instrumental in designing and renovating the family’s homes, including their Long Island residence, which was featured on MTV Cribs.
Dee has praised her skills, saying, “Her family’s in construction. She swings a hammer, she uses a saw, and she’s a mean-ass spackler.”
A Devoted Wife and Partner
Throughout their 40-plus years together, Dee and Suzette have been a team, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. Dee has credited Suzette with keeping him grounded and being his “oasis and anchor.”
In a heartfelt tribute on their 40th wedding anniversary, Dee wrote, “Through it all, the ups the downs, the joy and the sorrow, the laughs and the tears, the triumphs and the failures, there has been one constant: DEE & SUZETTE FOREVER!”
FAQs
What is Suzette’s profession?
Suzette is a costume designer, hair and makeup artist, and fashion designer.
How many children do Dee and Suzette have?
Dee and Suzette have four children: Cheyenne, Jesse, Shane, and Cody.
How long have Dee and Suzette been married?
Dee and Suzette have been married for over 40 years, having wed on October 23, 1981.
