Dan Reynolds: Illness, Divorce & Life After Imagine Dragons

Most fans know Dan Reynolds as the powerhouse voice behind Imagine Dragons, but few realize he’s been quietly managing a chronic inflammatory disease since his early twenties. Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2015, Reynolds has turned his personal health battle into a public education effort, and this article separates fact from rumor about his illness, his divorce, and what his story means for anyone living with a lifelong autoimmune condition.

Born: July 14, 1987 (age 37) (Wikipedia) · Diagnosis: Ankylosing spondylitis (diagnosed 2015) (The Rheumatologist) · Children: 4 (People) · Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) (Wikipedia) · Band: Imagine Dragons (lead vocalist) (Audacy)

Six key data points, one pattern: Dan Reynolds’ public life is a balancing act between stardom, chronic disease, and family transition.

What chronic illness does Dan Reynolds have?

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily targets the spine and sacroiliac joints (The Rheumatologist (rheumatology specialty publication)).
• Reynolds was diagnosed around age 20, after experiencing persistent back pain and stiffness (The Rheumatologist).
• He has lived with the diagnosis for more than a decade and speaks openly about managing pain, fatigue, and the emotional toll (The Rheumatologist).

How does AS affect daily life?

Reynolds has described waking up feeling stiff, needing movement to loosen his joints, and having to carefully plan his performance schedule around his body’s limits. He follows a treatment regimen of medication and exercise to maintain mobility. “I have to really be on top of my health,” he told The Rheumatologist.

The pattern: Reynolds uses his platform to normalize chronic illness while continuing a physically demanding touring career. His openness challenges the stigma that chronic pain is invisible or exaggerated.

Why did Dan Reynolds leave his wife?

Timeline of Dan Reynolds and Aja Volkman’s marriage

• Married on March 5, 2011 (People (celebrity news magazine)).
• First announced separation in 2018, then reconciled by early 2019 (Audacy (music news outlet)).
• Date of separation for the final split: August 8, 2022 (People).
• Volkman filed for divorce in April 2023; the divorce was finalized in March 2024 (People).

Reasons cited for the divorce

Reynolds has said the split was driven by personal growth and life paths diverging. In a 2023 interview he noted, “We both realized we needed different things.” The couple remained committed to co-parenting; their final custody agreement grants joint legal and physical custody of all four children (People).

The pattern: Reynolds’ divorce reflects a careful public negotiation between personal change and professional image.

Who has custody of Dan Reynolds’ kids?

Current custody arrangement

The People article confirming the divorce states the ex-couple share joint legal and physical custody of their four children: Arrow Eve, Gia James, Coco Rae, and Valentine (People). Specific scheduling details have not been made public, which is typical for mediated family settlements.

Co-parenting approach

Both Reynolds and Volkman have prioritized the children’s wellbeing. In the same People report, a source close to the family said:

“They are devoted to giving their kids a stable, loving environment.”

Source close to the family, People

Reynolds’ touring schedule is demanding, but he has spoken about making sure he’s present for school events and milestones.

Is Dan Reynolds in a relationship?

Rumored relationships after divorce

As of early 2025, Reynolds has not publicly confirmed a new romantic partner. There have been social-media rumors linking him to various individuals, but none have been corroborated by either Reynolds or his representatives.

Reynolds’ public comments on dating

In interviews, Reynolds has said he is “completely focused on the kids and the band right now.” The implication: he is not actively seeking a relationship and wants to avoid additional public scrutiny after the divorce.

For now, Reynolds’ silence on his romantic life signals a deliberate effort to keep that part of his life out of the headlines.

What is the life expectancy for someone with ankylosing spondylitis?

Impact of AS on lifespan

Ankylosing spondylitis does not typically shorten life expectancy, according to rheumatology literature (The Rheumatologist). However, complications such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and spinal fractures can affect prognosis if untreated. With modern management—including NSAIDs, biologics, and physical therapy—most patients maintain a near-normal lifespan.

Management and treatment options

• Reynolds follows a treatment plan that reportedly includes medication and daily stretching (The Rheumatologist).
• Early diagnosis (he was diagnosed in his early 20s) improves outcomes because it allows early intervention.
• Reynolds has also credited a supportive family and his music as emotional outlets that help him cope with the chronic pain.

The catch: Life expectancy numbers are averages. Reynolds’ individual prognosis depends on how well he controls inflammation, his cardiovascular health, and his adherence to treatment. For a touring musician, the physical demands of performing may increase wear on his spine.

The road ahead for Dan Reynolds is a balancing act between the demands of stadium tours, the daily management of a chronic condition, and the realities of co-parenting four children after a high-profile divorce. For fans and those newly diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, his willingness to be transparent provides a rare window into what it means to keep moving—literally and figuratively—when your body fights you every step of the way. For Reynolds, the choice is clear: keep performing, keep parenting, and keep educating, or let the illness define the narrative.