Lynn Frankel: Wildlife Photographer and Former Wife of Mick Fleetwood
Lynn Frankel is a wildlife photographer, designer, and conservationist who built a career spanning marketing, the music industry, and the visual arts. While many know her through her 20-year marriage to Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, she has established herself in wildlife photography and conservation work.
Table Of Content
| Full Name | Lynn Frankel (professionally Lynn Frankel Fleetwood) |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | New York, United States |
| Profession | Wildlife Photographer, Designer, Conservationist |
| Years Active | 1990s–Present |
| Known For | African wildlife photography, elephant conservation advocacy |
| Former Spouse | Mick Fleetwood (m. 1995, div. 2015) |
| Children | Ruby Fleetwood, Tessa Fleetwood (twin daughters, born 2002) |
| Conservation Focus | Elephant protection, African wildlife preservation |
| Social Media | @lynnfrankelfleetwood (Instagram) |
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in New York, Lynn Frankel grew up with values centered on education and hard work. She spent nearly three decades working in the music and film industries, developing expertise in marketing and brand strategy.
- July 26, 1995: Married Mick Fleetwood in a private ceremony
- 2002: Gave birth to twin daughters, Ruby Fleetwood and Tessa Fleetwood
- 2008: Ruby survived a near-drowning incident at age six, treated at Cedars-Sinai Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- 2013: Separated from Mick Fleetwood after 18 years of marriage
- November 20, 2015: Divorce finalized; granted primary physical custody of daughters
- 2018: Attended MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony and Grammy Awards with Mick
- 2019: Appeared at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony alongside Mick, demonstrating a co-parenting relationship
Family Members
Former Spouse: Mick Fleetwood (drummer and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, married 1995-2015)
Daughters:
- Ruby Fleetwood (born 2002, twin)
- Tessa Fleetwood (born 2002, twin)
Goddaughter Relationship: Daughters’ godmother is Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac vocalist)
Career in Marketing and Music
Lynn worked in marketing for music and film industry organizations for nearly 30 years. Her father handled financial matters for musicians, which led to her meeting Mick Fleetwood in the early 1990s.
- Early 1990s: Worked in marketing for music and film industry clients
- 1995: Married Mick Fleetwood, continued work in entertainment marketing
- 2002: Became mother to twin daughters, shifted focus to family
- Mid-2000s: Began transition from corporate marketing to creative arts
- 2010s: Established wildlife photography practice focusing on African wildlife
- 2015: Post-divorce, dedicated full attention to photography and conservation
- Present: Active wildlife photographer supporting elephant conservation organizations
Marriage to Mick Fleetwood
Lynn married Mick Fleetwood on July 26, 1995. Mick credited her with helping him quit cocaine in the early 1990s, marking a turning point in his recovery.
The couple lived between Southern California and Maui, Hawaii, where Mick owned restaurants, including Fleetwood’s on Front Street. They raised their family away from constant media scrutiny.
Motherhood and Family Life
Lynn and Mick welcomed twin daughters Ruby and Tessa in Fleetwood in 2002. Stevie Nicks, Mick’s former bandmate, became the twins’ godmother.
At age six, Ruby experienced a near-drowning incident during a playdate. She became disoriented while doing somersaults underwater and swallowed significant water. Paramedics revived her before transport to Cedars-Sinai Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she fully recovered.
Lynn and Mick separated in 2013. Mick filed for legal separation, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized on November 20, 2015. Lynn received primary physical custody of the twins, with both parents sharing joint legal custody.
Transition to Wildlife Photography
Lynn transitioned from corporate marketing to wildlife photography in the mid-2000s. She specializes in African wildlife, with elephants as her primary subject.
Her photography captures animals in natural environments using ambient lighting. She photographs elephants, lions, giraffes, and other species in locations like Kenya and Tanzania. Her work emphasizes authentic moments over staged compositions.
Her Instagram bio states: “Mother. Designer. Photographer. Lover of Elephants. Obsessed with ambient lighting. Creating from instinct and emotions.”
Conservation Work
Lynn supports elephant conservation through her photography. She has worked with organizations including the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Amboseli Trust for Elephants.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, founded in 1977 in Nairobi, Kenya, rescues orphaned elephants and rhinos. The organization has raised over 320 animals, rehabilitating them for return to protected wilderness areas like Tsavo National Park.
The Amboseli Trust for Elephants conducts research on elephant families in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, studying elephant behavior, social structures, and conservation needs.
Lynn’s photography raises awareness about poaching and habitat loss threatening African elephant populations.
Design Work and Creative Projects
Lynn creates custom design pieces inspired by nature, including lamps and furniture with organic shapes and natural materials. Her design aesthetic features coastal, nature-inspired elements common in Hawaiian and California interior design.
Life After Divorce
Following her 2015 divorce, Lynn focused on raising her daughters and continuing her creative work. She maintains a limited social media presence on Instagram (@lynnfrankelfleetwood), posting primarily wildlife photography rather than personal content.
She continues to live in the United States, though her exact location remains private.
During her marriage, Lynn attended music industry events with Mick, including the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony, Grammy Awards, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies.
Since the divorce, she rarely makes public appearances except for family events or conservation-related occasions.
Co-Parenting Relationship
Lynn and Mick maintain a respectful co-parenting relationship. They attended the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony together and appeared at family events for their daughters.
Lynn continues wildlife photography and design work. She professionally uses the name Lynn Frankel Fleetwood on social media while being referenced as Lynn Frankel in other contexts. Her work centers on African wildlife photography, conservation advocacy, and nature-inspired design projects.
Summary
Lynn Frankel is a New York-born wildlife photographer and conservationist who spent nearly 30 years in the music and film industry marketing before transitioning to the visual arts. She married Mick Fleetwood in 1995 and had twin daughters in 2002. After their 2015 divorce, she has focused on African wildlife photography, particularly elephants, while supporting conservation organizations including the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Amboseli Trust for Elephants.
