Riley Hawk Opens Up About Life With Frances Bean Cobain, Parenthood & Support From Dad Tony: ‘He Helps a Lot With Baby Ronin’…see more…
Riley Hawk, the son of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, is opening up about his low-key life with wife Frances Bean Cobain — daughter of late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and singer Courtney Love — and the joys and challenges of new parenthood. In a rare and candid conversation, Riley shared insight into their relationship, the influence of their iconic families, and how becoming a father has reshaped his priorities.
Frances Bean Cobain and Riley Hawk tied the knot in October 2023 in a private ceremony officiated by former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, who is also Frances’ godfather. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Ronin, earlier this year.
Now, nearly two years into their marriage and months into parenthood, Riley describes their life together as “quiet and grounding.” Despite being the children of two cultural icons from very different worlds — grunge rock and extreme sports — both Frances and Riley have found comfort in leading lives away from the spotlight.
“We live pretty quietly,” Riley says. “We hang out with the baby, go for hikes, cook, read a lot. Frances is super into art again, and I’ve been skating less, honestly, and just enjoying the dad life.”
The couple resides in California, not far from where both Riley and Frances grew up. While they’re surrounded by memories of their famous fathers, Riley insists that they’ve carved out their own identity as a couple.
“We both understand what it means to have big shadows behind us,” he continues. “But we’ve both worked hard to create a world that feels like our own. Frances is one of the strongest and most thoughtful people I’ve ever known. She’s not trying to live in her dad’s legacy — she’s just being herself.”
Still, it’s impossible to ignore the family history. Frances is the only child of Kurt Cobain, whose suicide in 1994 at the age of 27 left an indelible mark on music history. Raised primarily by her grandmother and later by her mother, Frances has always maintained a relatively private profile, despite occasional ventures into modeling, visual art, and film production.
Riley, on the other hand, made a name for himself in professional skateboarding, sponsored by brands like Baker and Lakai. But unlike his ultra-recognizable father, Riley has always kept a lower profile.
“My dad’s always been super chill,” Riley says of Tony Hawk. “He’s very involved with the baby — he helps a lot. Honestly, I don’t know how we’d be doing this without him and my mom. Frances’ mom [Courtney Love] has been great too, especially once she got past her nerves about becoming a grandma.”
Tony Hawk, who has embraced grandfatherhood with pride, often shares glimpses of his life with baby Ronin on social media, posting everything from stroller walks to skatepark visits — though he’s careful to respect the family’s privacy.
“I think having my dad be so hands-on really shifted how I see him,” Riley adds. “When I was growing up, he was on tour a lot, filming, doing events. I didn’t resent that, but I see now how much he wants to be present for this next generation. He’s really making up for lost time, and it means the world to us.”
Frances, who has spoken openly about her father’s absence in past interviews, is reportedly enjoying a different kind of family dynamic now — one that includes love, support, and emotional stability. Though she did not join Riley for this interview, sources close to the couple say she is deeply content with her role as a mother and is quietly working on a new series of paintings that reflect on legacy, loss, and rebirth.
While neither Frances nor Riley has expressed interest in entering the entertainment world in a major way, both are keenly aware of their place in pop culture. “We know that people are curious,” Riley says with a smile. “But honestly, we’re just trying to be good parents, good partners, and good people.”
The couple has also made it a point to avoid overexposing their child to media. “We’re not going to put Ronin on a path he didn’t choose,” Riley explains. “If one day he wants to skate or play music, that’s awesome. But right now, we’re just focused on giving him a happy, safe, grounded life.”
As for whether Riley feels any pressure to carry on the Hawk legacy, he shrugs it off. “I think the best thing my dad ever taught me was that you define success for yourself. It’s not about topping what someone else did — even if that someone else is your dad. It’s about doing your own thing and being proud of it.”
That ethos seems to extend to the Cobain lineage as well. Frances, long known for guarding her father’s estate and legacy with great care, has repeatedly emphasized her desire for authenticity and independence. Riley echoes that sentiment, saying that both he and Frances are committed to living “with intention, not imitation.”
Looking ahead, the couple is focused on the present: raising Ronin, supporting one another, and staying grounded. Riley says there are no plans for big career moves or public appearances — at least not right now.
“Honestly, this is the best chapter of my life so far,” Riley reflects. “It’s not always easy, and we’re learning as we go, but I feel really lucky. Frances and I have each other, and now we have Ronin. That’s everything.”
As the son of a skateboarding pioneer and the daughter of a rock legend, Riley and Frances could easily be swept up in celebrity culture. But instead, they’ve chosen simplicity, love, and family — and in doing so, they’
ve found something truly extraordinary.
