NEED TO KNOW

• Ace Frehley married Jeanette Trerotola in 1978, though they legally separated seven years later
• The KISS cofounder and Trerotola shared daughter Monique
• The rocker died at 74 years old on Oct. 16, 2025

While much of the world recognized Ace Frehley as "Spaceman," the rockstar's daughter knew him as dad.

The guitarist, who died on Oct. 16 at 74 years old, rose to fame in the 1970s as a cofounder of American hard rock band KISS. Frehley eventually went on to pursue a solo career, but was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, alongside original bandmates Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.

While he was selling out stadiums and winning accolades, Ace was also entering new milestones in his personal life, including becoming a dad in 1980, two years before he left KISS. The rocker welcomed one child, daughter Monique, with his wife Jeanette Trerotola, who he legally separated from after seven years of marriage.

On Oct. 16, his family announced his death in a statement shared with PEOPLE and said they were "completely devastated and heartbroken."

"We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others," the statement read. "The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!"

Here's everything to know about Ace Frehley's family, including his estranged wife and daughter Monique.

He married Jeanette in the late 1970s, though they later separated

Ace was 18 years old when he began dating Jeannette, according to The New York Times. They tied the knot in the late 1970s amid his rise with the band.

Although they legally separated seven years later, they remained married, per the outlet.

Ace later got engaged to Rachael Gordon in 2010, but they eventually called it quits.

Ace and Jeanette welcomed one child together

Ace became a father when he and Jeanette welcomed their first child, daughter Monique, in 1980.

Over the years, the guitarist has shared several glimpses of their father-daughter relationship on social media. In May 2024, he shared a throwback photo from when he and Monique got matching "Ace" tattoos while previously on tour.

"Family ink, rock 'n' roll style! Thinkin' about getting another. 🎸❤️," he captioned the post.

Ace has credited his daughter Monique with inspiring him to get sober

Ace was open about his struggles with addiction. But in a 2018 interview at Musicians Institute, he said it was his daughter who inspired him to get sober in 2006, per Blabbermouth.

"My daughter calls me up and goes, 'Dad, I'm not hearing good things about you.' I looked in the mirror and just said, 'S--- — she's right,' " he said. "That evening, I called my sponsor and he took me to an AA meeting, and I've been sober ever since."

He didn't push his daughter to be a musician

In a 2009 interview with Pamela Des Barres, Ace shared some details about his daughter's chosen career path. He explained that she was working with both children and clothes at the time — and that he didn't pressure her to follow in his footsteps.

"I don’t have the inclination to push her in the direction of this business," he said, referencing the music industry. "It’s kind of crazy. It’s a lot harder on women, too."