The music industry is in mourning following the death of Dave Ball, a trailblazer in synth-pop and one-half of the legendary duo Soft Cell. Ball passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London residence on October 22, 2025, at the age of 66. His bandmate, Marc Almond, confirmed the sad news, noting that Ball had been “ill for a long while” and that his health had been gradually declining in recent years.

In spite of his health challenges, Ball managed to complete a new Soft Cell album, titled “Danceteria,” just days before his passing. While he is best known for chart-topping hits like “Tainted Love,” his personal life, including his marriage, significantly influenced his creative endeavors.

Who Was Dave Ball Married To?

Dave Ball was married to musician and violinist Gini Hewes. Though the specifics of their relationship timeline remain undisclosed, their bond was both intimate and artistic.

After Soft Cell initially disbanded in 1984, the couple formed the band Other People, marking the beginning of a fruitful professional collaboration. They co-wrote music for a stage adaptation of “Suddenly Last Summer” and contributed to the experimental music group Psychic TV. Even after their divorce, their artistic partnership remained a noteworthy aspect of Ball’s career.

Gini Hewes: The Musician Behind the Marriage

Gini Hewes, whose birth name is Virginia Ball, is an accomplished musician herself. A classically trained violinist, she studied at the Royal College of Music and was a founding member of the punk classical ensemble Humoresque.

Her career is marked by impressive collaborations with a wide range of artists. She has toured and recorded with Siouxsie and the Banshees, collaborated with Nick Cave, and even worked with Marc Almond on his project Marc and the Mambas. Her work as a violinist, singer, and composer made her a respected figure within the music scene, and her brother is cellist Martin McCarrick.

Dave Ball’s Enduring Legacy and Family

Beyond his marriage to Hewes, Dave Ball’s personal life was centered around his family. He is survived by his four children and close family members.

His legacy in music is profound. From meeting Marc Almond at Leeds Polytechnic in 1977 to forming Soft Cell and creating the global phenomenon “Tainted Love,” Ball shaped the sound of a generation. His career continued to evolve with the successful dance project The Grid, known for the hit “Swamp Thing,” and his work as a producer for artists like Kylie Minogue and David Bowie.

Even after a severe fall in 2022 that left him with a broken back and a long recovery, his passion for music never wavered. His final live performance with Soft Cell was at the Rewind Festival in August 2025, where he headlined for over 20,000 people.

A Final Farewell from His Closest Collaborator

Marc Almond’s tribute paints a picture of a deep, decades-long friendship and creative partnership. He remembered Ball as a “wonderfully brilliant musical genius”.

Almond’s statement poignantly captured their bond: “Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn’t be where I am without you”. He also expressed his sorrow that Ball would not be there to celebrate their 50th anniversary, noting, “I wish he could have stayed on to celebrate 50 years in a couple of years’ time”.