The death of Kris Kristofferson has left a deep impact on countless fans around the globe. Among those deeply affected by his passing is his ex-wife, Rita Coolidge.
To learn more about what Rita has been up to lately, keep reading.
Rita Coolidge was a major figure in the music scene during the 1970s. Though she gained initial fame for her talent, her personal life soon became a focal point of media attention. Now in her late 70s, fans are amazed by how gracefully she has aged.
Coolidge began her rise to stardom in the 1960s after moving to Memphis, where she worked as a backup singer for Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Her incredible voice soon led her to collaborate with some of the most famous musicians of the time, including Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Stephen Stills.
When she later moved to Los Angeles, her career took off. She signed with A&M Records and released her debut album in 1971.
Though the album didn’t achieve commercial success, it established her as a respected artist. Her career took a significant leap when she married country music star Kris Kristofferson in 1973.
The duo became a well-known power couple in the music industry, collaborating on projects that led to two Grammy wins—one for “From the Bottle to the Bottom” in 1974 and another for “Lover Please” in 1976.
While their professional life flourished, their marriage faced numerous struggles. Coolidge has since spoken about the challenges they faced together, noting that while she didn’t want to portray Kristofferson negatively, their relationship had its difficult moments.
The couple’s story began when they met on a flight from Los Angeles to Memphis in 1971, with Kristofferson jokingly calling it “love at first flight.”
Kristofferson was originally headed to Nashville for a business meeting, but changed his plans to be with Coolidge. “By the end of that night, we’d already picked a name for our first child. I was sure we were meant to be together,” she recalled.
The couple’s personal connection was undeniable, and their professional collaborations were equally electric, mesmerizing audiences with their music.
As Kristofferson’s acting career took off, rumors swirled that Coolidge was using him for professional gain. She quickly dismissed these claims, pointing out, “When Kris and I were touring, he wasn’t the one with the hit records—I was. We were equals in both our work and our relationship.”
Coolidge openly shared how Kristofferson’s acting career impacted their partnership. With film offers rolling in, he spent less time in the recording studio, creating distance between them.
She also spoke about the emotional abuse she endured, saying he often belittled her talent. “Maybe he feels I mistreated him too, but I don’t think I did. It wasn’t constant, but it was enough to make me cry every day, and that’s no way to live.”
During their marriage, the couple welcomed a daughter named Casey. Tragically, they lost their second child, a heartache that added strain to their relationship.
By 1980, their marriage had unraveled, leading to their divorce. Coolidge chose to focus on her own career without seeking a financial settlement, wanting a clean break. “I didn’t think staying together was doing her any favors when it was clear her parents were not in sync,” she said. Despite the difficulties, they maintained a special bond even after the split.
In a 2016 interview, she reflected on their relationship, saying, “Kris and I share a connection. We laugh at things no one else understands. It’s a bond that goes beyond explanation.” When asked if they might perform together again, she replied with a smile, “Never say never.”
Kristofferson passed away on September 28, 2024, at age 88, surrounded by loved ones at his Maui home. His family issued a statement after his passing, saying he died peacefully.
“We’re grateful for the time we had with him. Thank you for loving him over the years, and whenever you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down on us,” the statement read.
As for Rita Coolidge, she has been doing well in recent years. Fans have marveled at how youthful and vibrant she looks. Her social media is filled with comments from admirers praising her appearance.
“You look amazing!” one fan wrote on a recent photo. Coolidge was still touring into her 60s, and another fan remarked, “You’re a true talent and such a beautiful woman.” A third person simply added, “Rita looks fantastic!”
The World’s Hairiest Girl Is Now Grown Up, Happily Married and Rocks Her New Style After Shaving
A girl, once labeled “wolf girl” and “monkey face” by her peers, knew that her condition wouldn’t stop her from finding happiness. Eventually, she discovered the love of her life, and her story reveals the profound impact it had on her life.
Supatra “Natty” Sasuphan, once dubbed the world’s hairiest girl, faced ridicule and fear from her classmates due to her unique appearance.
On August 5, 1999, something important happened in Supatra’s family. Usually, when a new baby is born, parents feel really happy and excited. That’s how Supatra’s mom and dad, Sompon and Samrerng, felt when she was born.
But their happiness was mixed with surprise, fear, and disbelief because the doctortold them their baby had a lot of hair. At first, they thought it was normal, but when they saw her in the incubator, they were shocked by how much hair she had. Supatra’s hair covered almost her whole body, and even the doctors in Thailand had never seen someone like her.
Later on, doctors figured out that Natty had a very rare skin disease called Ambras syndrome. This condition is so uncommon that there have only been 50 cases like hers documented in the world since a long time ago.
Ambras syndrome causes excess body hair growth, sparing only the palms, soles, and mouth interior, likely due to a sudden DNA change.
When Natty was born, and her mom wanted to leave the hospital, the doctors didn’t want to let her go because they were worried she might leave her child behind. Sompon told the doctor that she would never abandon her child, no matter what. She said, “We are lucky that she was born into our family.”
Natty grew up in a loving family, but not everyone was understanding of her condition, and she had to deal with some unkindness from strangers and peers.
As Natty grew up, her face remained hidden behind thick hair due to her incurable Ambras syndrome. Regular methods like laser removal couldn’t slow down her hair growth. At school, she faced ridicule because of her unique appearance. Kids called her names like “wolf girl” and “monkey face.”
Natty, however, didn’t understand why they teased her, as she considered herself a normal girl with just a bit more hair. She stated, “It’s the way I am.”
Natty’s teacher, Kuljira Posaeng, revealed that other kids were initially scared of Natty’s appearance, making her early school days difficult. Over time, though, Natty proved she was just like any other student. Teachers described her as hardworking with good grades, and she eventually became one of the most popular kids at school.
Natty’s teachers said she was a lively girl who loved to sing, dance, and act. Her parents treated her just like any other kid, and they never made her feel like she was less important. They took her everywhere and weren’t embarrassed that she looked different from other children.
Later on, Natty found her love.
Natty has come to terms with her condition, understanding that there’s no cure for it. She decided to keep her body hair the way it naturally grew from the time she was born, only shaving her face when she became a teenager. As she grew older, her self-esteem and self-image became more important to her, and she also found love.
She shared: “It began from friendship, then we became a couple.” Their conversations brought her happiness, and being together was comfortable, with a love she didn’t anticipate: “It was a kind of love that I didn’t expect would happen to me.”
Natty later married her boyfriend, calling him “the love of my life.”
She also posted pictures with her lover, showing her face without facial hair. Some people thought she might have been cured, but her dad explained that she had chosen to shave her facial hair to reveal her new look. Now, her eyes, face, mouth, lips, and cheeks are visible, with only her forehead covered by her head’s hair.
Natty, who has found love and happiness, is determined to lead a positive life and continue making a beautiful impact on society. She believes that everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way, and she wants to inspire others to embrace their individuality and radiate their inner beauty.
Before you go, be sure to check out another article where a woman shares her story to emphasize that body hair shouldn’t be criticized, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one’s uniqueness.
Preview photo credit Guinness World Records / Facebook, truly / Youtube
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