Billy Corgan, the enigmatic frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, is known for his poetic lyrics and unmistakable voice that defined an era of alternative rock. But beyond the stage lights and guitar riffs, Corgan’s life is also defined by his decade-long love story with fashion designer Chloe Mendel. The two met in 2012, kept their relationship mostly under wraps for years, and surprised fans with the news of their two children, a heartfelt wedding, and even a shared business empire. So, who is Chloe Mendel, the woman who stole Billy Corgan’s heart? Let’s dive into her life, career, and their unique love story.
Fashion Runs in Her Blood
At 31 years old, Chloe Mendel is more than just the wife of a rock legend—she’s a successful fashion designer with creativity coursing through her veins. As the daughter of Gilles Mendel, CEO of luxury fashion brand J. Mendel, Chloe grew up surrounded by couture. Following her family’s legacy, she started her career interning at J. Mendel, designing both ready-to-wear and couture collections.
In 2017, Chloe co-founded Maison Atia, a luxury outerwear brand known for its faux furs. As creative director, she’s been making waves in the fashion industry, combining high fashion with a commitment to cruelty-free practices. But her most personal fashion project came in 2022 when she collaborated with her father to design her wedding gown. The experience was so fulfilling that the duo launched a new brand, House of Gilles, specializing in bridal and bespoke pieces.
With her thriving fashion career, Chloe’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around $2 million—impressive for someone juggling motherhood, business, and a reality TV series.
A Decade of Love and a Secret Wedding
Chloe and Billy Corgan’s love story began in 2012 when they were introduced by a mutual friend. Despite Corgan’s fame, the couple chose to keep their relationship private, rarely making public appearances or discussing their life together. That all changed in 2022, when Corgan proposed on Chloe’s 30th birthday with a trio of stunning custom-designed rings. A year later, they tied the knot at their home in Highland Park, Illinois, with an intimate ceremony attended by 100 guests.
Describing the wedding as a “magical moment,” Corgan shared the news on Instagram, breaking the couple’s usual private stance. Chloe’s father, Gilles Mendel, designed both her dresses and Corgan’s suit, blending familial love with haute couture. For Chloe, it was a dream come true to have her father walk her down the aisle in a gown they created together.
From Plant-Based Bakery to Pro Wrestling:
Beyond their personal partnership, Corgan and Chloe have built a business empire together. In 2012, they opened Madame ZuZu’s, a plant-based tea shop and cafe in Highland Park. The cafe, which doubles as a record store, is a reflection of their shared love for music, art, and community. After closing briefly in 2018, Madame ZuZu’s reopened in 2020, bigger and better, offering everything from vegan pastries to limited-edition Smashing Pumpkins vinyl.
But that’s not all. Corgan’s love for wrestling led him to purchase the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2017. While Chloe admits it took her a while to warm up to the wrestling world, she’s now fully supportive of Corgan’s passion project. Their reality TV show, Billy Corgan’s Adventures in Carnyland, which premiered in 2024 on the CW, captures the chaos and charm of their family life, Madame ZuZu’s, and the NWA.
Parenthood and Expanding Their Family
Corgan and Chloe’s family life is just as bustling as their businesses. The couple has two children—Augustus Juppiter, born in 2015, and Philomena Clementine, born in 2018—with a third on the way. In August 2024, they announced they were expecting again, sharing a sweet video of their kids reacting to the news. While Augustus was thrilled, little Philomena was adorably overwhelmed.
Despite Corgan’s busy touring schedule with The Smashing Pumpkins, the couple makes it a point to travel as a family, often sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of life on the road. From trips to Japan to Christmas at Disney World, Corgan and Chloe’s social media is filled with heartwarming snapshots of their adventures.
