How Carmen Electra’s Wild Relationship History Shaped Her Rules for Romance
Over the decades, Carmen Electra has had a relationship history that’s been nearly as headline-making as her work on screen. The actress and model was famously married to Dennis Rodman in the late 1990s in a whirlwind union that ended quickly, and later wed guitarist Dave Navarro, with their relationship playing out in front of cameras during the reality TV boom. Along the way, she’s also been linked to a string of musicians, athletes, and actors. Recently, she discussed her simple approach to romance in her 50s. And her romantic life now has certainly been shaped by her colorful dating life. Here’s what to know.
Carmen Electra dated Prince, and he gave her her iconic name
Before her whirlwind marriages made tabloid history, Carmen Electra had an early and formative romance with Prince. And he played a pivotal role in launching her career. The two met in the early 1990s after Prince saw her audition tape and invited her to his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota. There, he became both a mentor and romantic partner. It was Prince who encouraged her to adopt the stage name “Carmen Electra” and helped her secure a recording contract, guiding her through the release of her 1993 self-titled debut album.
According to The List, Electra broke it off with Prince after he wanted her to move to Minnesota but she hoped to stay in Los Angeles. “I told him I wanted to live in L.A., and he spent as much time here as he did in Minnesota,” she said. “He wanted me to move back to Minnesota, and I said no. I broke it off with him and stayed in L.A.”
She married Dennis Rodman, but Rodman filed for annulment 9 days later
Carmen Electra and Dennis Rodman’s union was one of the most sensational celebrity romances of the late 1990s. After dating through 1998, the couple married on Nov. 14, 1998, in a small Las Vegas ceremony at the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Nevada. However, the marriage’s legal status quickly became complicated. Just nine days after their wedding, Rodman filed for an annulment, according to People. Although they briefly reconciled and even celebrated New Year’s Eve together, Electra and Rodman ultimately ended their marriage in April 1999 by mutual agreement.
In later interviews, Electra explained that she had been grieving the recent loss of her mother and sister when the marriage happened, which contributed to the impulsive decision, and she described the relationship overall as intensely passionate but volatile. Electra has reflected that while their time together was full of highs and lows, it was a formative chapter in her life.
Carmen Electra said she’ll ‘love’ her ex-husband, Dave Navarro, ‘forever’
Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro’s marriage became one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of the early 2000s. The actress wed the Jane’s Addiction guitarist on Nov. 22, 2003, after a highly publicized engagement that played out on MTV’s reality series ’Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen & Dave. The show gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the couple’s wedding planning and home life.
However, after nearly three years of marriage, the couple announced an amicable separation in July 2006. Electra filed for divorce the following month, citing irreconcilable differences. And their divorce was finalized in February 2007.
In 2017, Electra noted that she still has a great relationship with her ex. “We’re still really good friends,” she said on Daily Pop. “I just posted a shot on Instagram because we just ran into each other at the same hotel. We have a connection, and it’s undeniable, and I’ll love him forever.”
“Will we get back together?” she continued. “We’re not at a place like that, but we are friends, and we don’t talk all the time. It’s not a weird thing, but we do reach out and check on each other from time to time.”
She was engaged to musician Rob Patterson in 2008
After two highly publicized marriages, Carmen Electra found love again with musician Rob Patterson in the late 2000s. Patterson, known for his work as lead guitarist for the band Otep and later as a touring guitarist for Korn, began dating Electra around 2007. The couple became engaged in 2008. Electra confirmed the news publicly and appeared enthusiastic about starting a new chapter.
“He told friends three days ago that he got engaged,” a source told People at the time. “The ring is a black diamond set in white diamonds.”
Unlike her previous relationships, which unfolded heavily in the spotlight, her romance with Patterson was comparatively low-profile. However, the engagement was ultimately called off a few years later. The two quietly went their separate ways without marrying.
Carmen Electra shared her romance tips now that she’s in her 50s
It’s not currently publicly known whether Carmen Electra is married. Either way, she has plenty of wisdom to share, thanks to her past romances. She told Fox News Digital in February 2026 that keeping the spark alive is important.
“You definitely wanna keep the spark alive, but you wanna be with someone that you love being with because that’s definitely what’s gonna keep the spark live anyway, right?” she said.
“So someone that — you just love their spirit, you love who they are as a person, someone that’s not a downer,” Electra continued. “I like artists, like people that are into art, whatever their art may be, all that good stuff.”
