Reba McEntire Celebrates 69 Next to a Supportive Man after 2 Rocky Marriages – Inside Her Personal Life

Renowned country singer Reba McEntire celebrates her 69th birthday, marking a remarkable career that has seen her sell over 46 million records. Beyond her musical achievements, the Grammy winner has discovered enduring love alongside a supportive partner, following two tumultuous marriages.

Reba McEntire was born in 1955 in Chockie, Oklahoma. Her father was an Oklahoma steer roper. McEntire was the third of four kids, and she grew up on a cattle ranch. She fell in love with the rodeo very young and wanted to be a barrel racer.

But in 1974, while still a student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, she was asked to sing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Recording artist Red Steagall was at the rodeo that day and was impressed when he heard her sing. Afterward, Steagall helped McEntire land a record deal with Polygram Mercury.

McEntire, who is also an actress and producer, recently turned 68 on March 28, 2024. Over the years, McEntire has been a mainstay in the music industry. In 1982, her single, “Can’t Even Get the Blues No More,” reached number one, and not long after, she won a Grammy Award.

She has also sold over 46 million records, been on multiple tours, and made countless appearances on T.V. studios and Broadway stages. But in contrast to her prosperous career, the music star has not been successful in her marriages.

In 1971, McEntire was at a rodeo to support her sister Alice, who was competing in barrel racing, when she saw Charlie Battles riding his hazing horse and leading his bulldogging horse. McEntire and Battles had never spoken, but she knew him by his reputation.

Battles was a rodeo star and world champion steer wrestler in the International Rodeo Association. He won the titles in 1970 and 1971. The singer was impressed by Battles’ physical attributes but never thought the rodeo star would be interested in her romantically.

She walked down the fence and said hi to Battles, who in turn waved at her. McEntire initially thought she could match Battles and Alice but quickly abandoned that idea when she discovered Battles was married with two kids.

Afterward, McEntire, Battles, and Mike Saltzman, a bulldogger from Oklahoma, sat together laughing at a table when McEntire suddenly turned and kissed Battles. She had been so carried away by the music, beer, and excitement of the rodeo that kissing Battles at the moment felt like the right thing to do.

A week after the kiss, McEntire was practicing when she learned Battles had left his wife. She was shocked at the news. She knew Battles was unhappily married to his wife Sherrie, but there was no indication they were getting a divorce.

McEntire also found it challenging to believe Battles left his wife for her because she did not feel he was interested in her. Even though Battles was ten years older than McEntire, the rodeo star had a lot in common with her.

They both had a funny and light-hearted side, and he rodeoed and handled cattle like her dad. Battles was also very protective of her. In 1976, at just 21, McEntire married Battles. The couple participated in rodeos and ran a ranch together.

After their marriage, one of the couple’s issues was about Battles’ two sons, Lance and Coty, from his previous marriage to ex-wife Sherrie. Battles worked very hard to get his kids to visit, but it was very tough on McEntire whenever his kids came over for school and summer vacations.

Being a stepmother was hard for McEntire because there were some resentments between the kids, their parents, and their grandparents. Sherrie once told McEntire to give birth to her own children when the latter inquired if she could see Lance and Coty.

Also, as McEntire’s career as a musician was gaining traction, her husband, Battles, became less supportive. He refused to attend many of his wife’s shows, and his disposition towards McEntire and her career was not encouraging.

Once, McEntire became particularly bothered about his behavior. She was hired to sing at a private party in Fort Worth, Texas, but it snowed heavily on the day of the event. She called down to Texas and was told the weather was better, and the party would still happen.

McEntire then needed her husband’s help to take her down to Texas because he was a more experienced driver. Battles refused and said he was busy with something, so she drove through the ice storm herself. Things got a bit better between them when the musician started making money, and her husband slowed down on his career at the rodeo.

He became a little involved in helping her get bookings and saw to recording dates. Things became more manageable for McEntire, which meant the couple had more time to spend together.

Unfortunately, their relationship turned sour again, and when McEntire was told to slow down with her fast-paced career in favor of her marriage, she refused. She admitted, “I guess I chose my career over my marriage.”

After 11 years, their marriage had reached its breaking point, and McEntire left their ranch near Stringtown, Oklahoma, in 1989. Many of her fans could not understand why she divorced Battles because she had built her career around having a sweet home.

They wrote her tons of letters denouncing the split. The singer replied to most of them as sincerely as possible and told them to trust her. When some fans declared they idolized McEntire, she responded to them saying, “I told them not to, to get their eyes off me and on a higher level, get them on God.” McEntire also advised a fan against staying with her husband because she believed in the musician.

McEntire then married her second husband, Narvel Blackstock. The two met in 1980 while she was still an upcoming musician, and Blackstock played in her band. The pair were both married at the time but remained friends.

After her divorce from Battles, McEntire started a romantic relationship with her manager and former steel guitar player Blackstock. He had also left his first wife, Elisa Gayle Ritter.

On June 3, 1989, the pair exchanged marital vows and afterward held a lavish ceremony at Lake Tahoe. Her decision to marry Blackstock raised a couple of brows, but the musician was attracted to the former guitar player because of his professionalism.

She also credited him for being very classy and organized. Blackstock never ran out of great ideas and always looked and thought ahead. He was also the person that inspired her most.

Not long after their marriage, the couple welcomed a son Shelby Blackstock, 34, on February 23, 1990. In June 2009, the pair celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, and McEntire declared the secret to their long-lasting relationship was patience, faith, love, and trust.

McEntire and Blackstock shocked fans when they announced they had separated for months and would be getting a divorce. Their divorce was finalized on October 28, 2015, and it marked the end of McEntire’s 26-year relationship with Blackstock.

Surprisingly while the divorce process was going on, Blackstock started dating one of McEntire’s friends, Laura Putty Stroud, a real estate agent. While McEntire was still married to Blackstock, the couple had spent a lot of time with Stroud, and they even went to a Katy Perry concert together.

Despite the news that her ex-husband was dating her friend, McEntire noted she and Blackstock were still friends. The singer said the divorce was not her fault and left to her; she would still be married to Blackstock.

She said it was not easy making adjustments when one person was unhappy. Life is too short to be miserable, and she wanted everyone to be happy, which was why she went through with the divorce. McEntire also revealed that praying every day to God for strength got her through the change. She also surrounded herself with family and friends.

After her failed marriages, McEntire has found love again with actor Rex Linn. The pair first met in 1991 when they both appeared in the movie “The Luck of the Draw” by Kenny Rogers. In January 2020, McEntire found herself reunited with Linn during the filming of a guest appearance on the TV show “Young Sheldon,” a series he happened to be a part of.

Linn’s suggestion for dinner after her shoot was met with enthusiasm, leading to what unknowingly became their first date. Laughter filled the evening, sparking a connection they hadn’t anticipated. They publicly announced their relationship in October 2020. Afterward, McEntire revealed she and Linn kept in contact over the years, and they have a lot of friends in common.

Shortly after their reunion, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, plunging McEntire and Linninto a period of separation across different states. McEntire found herself in Oklahoma following the passing of her mother, while Linn remained in Los Angeles.

Despite the physical distance, they maintained their connection through frequent Zoom and FaceTime conversations, talking four to five times a day. This period of separation allowed them to cultivate a deep bond and intimacy, getting to know each other on a profound level without the need for physical proximity.

Although McEntire had not been actively seeking love following her divorce from her ex-husband of 26 years, Blackstock, in 2015, she expresses profound happiness that Linn entered her life. “He’s the love of my life. We’re pretty much inseparable,” she gushed.

McEntire and Linn portrayed a married couple in the now-canceled season of ABC’s drama Big Sky, filmed in Albuquerque. Despite McEntire’s busy schedule, which included filming and performing on her Reba: Live in Concert tour in 2022, she always prioritized coffee camp with Linn each morning.

The singer took pride in making coffee for Linn every morning, refusing his offers to make it instead. Additionally, Linn reciprocated her care by massaging her feet or shoulders when she was tired. To McEntire, these small gestures hold significant value.

The movie star emphasized the importance of being attentive and listening to one’s partner’s stories, even if they’ve been shared numerous times before. Reflecting on successful marriages she’s observed, she noted the significance of such gestures and vowed to learn from them.

In 2023, McEntire said, Linn is a “very supportive man, I love him with all my heart.” The same year, McEntire took on the role of a coach on “The Voice,” and she appreciated the loving support she received from Linn after a taxing day of filming.

Upon her arrival home, Linn would greet her at the garage and was always quick to offer her a drink if needed. He understood her need to unwind, engaged in comforting conversations with her, and gently massaged her back, recognizing her exhaustion from a day filled with constant chatter.

During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” the country star delved deeper into her affectionate relationship. When two fans virtually joined her and host Andy Cohen, they asked McEntire if she would consider marrying her Linn.

McEntire answered, “My Sugar Tot? That would be up to him. I’ve been married twice, he’s never been married, so if he wants to, that’s totally up to him.”

Pressing further, Cohen questioned McEntire about her initial reaction when she learned that Linn had never been married. After a moment of contemplation, the singer admitted sincerely that it had been somewhat perplexing. However, she assured Cohen that they had discussed the matter and resolved any concerns.

So, after two failed marriages, Reba McEntire and her boyfriend Linn, are inseparable. The singer advised people, “You gotta find somebody that makes you laugh… Most important thing and I found that. It’s priceless.” The lovebirds have fans on the edges of their seats, cheering for their love and hoping that they will get married.