The death of Kris Kristofferson has been a tragic event for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. The news will touch many, including Rita Coolidge, the actor’s ex-wife.

Continue reading to learn more about what she has been up to recently.

Rita Coolidge was a huge music icon throughout the 1970s. She then became well-known for her personal life. The singer is now in her late seventies, and admirers are impressed with how nicely she has aged.

She began her rise to prominence in the 1960s, when she relocated to Memphis and began working as a backup vocalist for Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Her remarkable voice rapidly enabled her to play alongside some of the industry’s top stars at the time, including Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Stephen Stills.

After relocating to Los Angeles, she became quite popular. She signed a contract with A&M Records and released her self-titled first album in 1971.

While her record was not a financial success, it earned her some professional recognition. Her career was further boosted when she married country musician Kris Kristofferson in 1973.

The duo rose to prominence in the music industry, bringing their combined talents to the studio and stage. Their partnership earned them two Grammys: “From the Bottle to the Bottom” in 1974 and “Lover Please” in 1976.

Although their work relationship was productive, the pair encountered several personal issues. Coolidge later stated that she never meant to portray the country singer negatively, but the circumstances surrounding their marriage were challenging.

The pair originally met on a plane traveling from Los Angeles to Memphis in 1971; Kristofferson sarcastically described the meeting as “love at first flight.”.

Kristofferson was on his way to Nashville for a business meeting when he decided to go out with Coolidge instead. “We had decided on a name for our first kid before falling asleep that night. “There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to be together,” she said.

Aside from their explosive emotional chemistry, the duo created magic professionally, with Coolidge and Kristofferson captivating audiences with their music.

When Kristofferson’s acting career took off, others accused Coolidge of marrying him for a shot at professional success. She strongly refuted the charges, stating, “When Kris and I were playing concerts, he didn’t have hit recordings. I did. We were equals in both our occupations and our relationships.”

Coolidge was open about the impact Kristofferson’s acting career had on them. She claimed he continued getting movie offers, which kept him away from the recording studio.

She further said that Kristofferson was emotionally abusive and undervalued her abilities. She responded, “He could believe that I was abusive to him. I don’t believe I was. It wasn’t all the time. It was just enough that I sobbed every day, which is not a nice way to live.”

During their time together, the couple welcomed a daughter called Casey. Later, they lose their second child, putting a strain on their relationship.

By 1980, their marriage had reached a critical stage, leading to their divorce. Coolidge made the decision to focus on her own profession rather than seek a settlement in order to move on more comfortably.

“I didn’t feel I was doing her any favors by going the distance when clearly her parents were not in harmony,” Coolidge remarked about the incident. Despite their reservations, the pair maintained a close bond long after they divorced.

In 2016, she reflected on their connection, saying, “Kris and I have a connection, and we laugh at things that no one else gets.” We simply have an unfathomable kinship. When asked if they’d perform together again, she grinned and said, “Never say never.”

Kristofferson died on September 28, 2024, at the age of 88. He died surrounded by relatives at his home in Maui. His family published a statement following his death, saying that he died quietly.

“We’re all quite grateful for our time with him. “Thank you for loving him all these years, and know that when you see a rainbow, he’s smiling down at us all,” the message said.

Rita Coolidge has also been doing well. Fans have praised her self-sufficiency in recent years. Her social media feed is full of fan comments, many of which praise her appearance.

“You look great!” said one fan on her social media. The vocalist continued to perform well into her sixties. “You are such a talented and beautiful lady,” another said. A third person joined in, “Rita looks great!”