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!”
Pregnant Wife Forced to Work Over 40 Hours and Handle All House Chores
While their house was being renovated, a woman and her fiancé chose to stay at the woman’s sister’s place. During their stay, the woman noticed the complete lack of support her pregnant sister received from her husband. Despite working over 40 hours a week, the pregnant sister also managed all the household chores alone. At Thanksgiving dinner, the woman decided it was time to teach her brother-in-law a lesson.
In November 2021, an anonymous woman posted a touching story on Reddit’s “AITA” forum. The 24-year-old woman shared a story about her 32-year-old sister and her 38-year-old husband, who exemplified weaponized incompetence.
Despite working full-time for over 40 hours a week, managing all household responsibilities, and caring for their four children—10-year-old daughter, 8-year-old son, 5-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter—while pregnant, her sister’s husband did nothing to help.
The woman was shocked to see her sister wake up at 4 a.m., handle breakfast and chores, and get the kids ready for school while her husband stayed home, worked, and played video games after she picked the children up. Remarkably, the woman noted that her sister earned more than her husband.
What Happened When the Woman and Her Fiancé Stayed with Her Sister?
While their home was being renovated, the woman and her 26-year-old fiancé stayed at her sister’s place for six weeks. Since they worked from home, they could help, and their support made the woman’s sister feel happy and relieved.
The woman helped her sister with the kids, and her fiancé even drove her to doctor’s appointments. In contrast, the husband only acknowledged his parental role when his family was around, pretending to be a god-fearing and hardworking father of five.
Despite the woman’s sister wanting to stop having children after the last baby, her husband insisted on having more boys. The original poster worried not only for her sister but also for her children, especially as the oldest began to notice the situation and tried to help. However, OP’s sister, driven by pride, refused to let her child take on any responsibilities.
OP admitted she never got along with her brother-in-law, and his behavior had been consistent since the birth of his eight-year-old son. Despite discussing the option of leaving, her sister was resistant and feared her children would grow up in a broken home.
Her views on divorce differed from OP’s, as her experience with their parents’ divorce was very different. She believed her kids needed both parents together and was reluctant to consider the potential benefits of a divorce.
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