Karen Sheila Townshend (nee Astley) is a British fashion designer and the former wife of the Who's Pete Townshend.
Biography
Astley was born on 12 June 1947 to Edwin Astley (1922–98) and Hazel Balbirnie in Grappenhall, Cheshire. Karens father, Edwin was a television writer and composer, famous for his work on The Saint and The Danger Man. By co-incidence, Edwin had often opened for Townshend's father, Cliff's band, The Squadronaires. Karen was the eldest daughter and had four siblings: Jon, Gareth, Alison and Virginia.
In the 1960s, Karen was educated at Ealing Art College where she studied dress design (textiles). There, she met musician and songwriter Pete Townshend who later joined the British band the Who. Karen owned a small boutique named "Hem & Fringe" with two college friends, Angela Browne and Annie Dupreè.
On 20 May 1968, aged twenty, Townshend and Astley married at Didcot Registry Office. Their first daughter Emma was born on 28 March 1969, followed by Aminta on 24 April 1971 and Joseph in 1989. In 1994, the couple split and finally divorced in 2000.
In August 2012, Astley campaigned for Helston, Cornwall's former community centre to remain open and now owns a stake in the property.
Karen's brother Jon has collaborated with Pete and the Who on several occasions since the 1970s.