During the band's hiatus, Stefani embarked on her solo career and released her debut studio album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby. in 2004. The album earned multi-platinum certifications in several countries. Her second album, The Sweet Escape was released in 2006. After releasing another album with No Doubt in 2012, she again focused on her solo career.

She was married to Gavin Rossdale from 2002 to 2015. In 2021 she married Blake Shelton.

Previously worked at a Dairy Queen ice cream parlor where she met [a=John Spence (4)] in 1986.