Country Legend Kenny Rogers Dies at 81: A Look Back at His Life and Family
Country music icon Kenny Rogers passed away peacefully on the evening of March 20, 2020, at the age of 81. In a heartfelt statement, his family announced: “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 p.m. at the age of 81. He died peacefully at home from natural causes, under hospice care and surrounded by his loved ones.”
A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rogers enjoyed a remarkable career that spanned over six decades, producing timeless hits such as The Gambler, Coward of the County, Islands in the Stream, Lucille, We’ve Got Tonight, and Through the Years.
As fans around the world remember his music, here’s a closer look at the personal side of the man behind the legend:
1. Five Marriages, Each More Enduring Than the Last
Kenny Rogers was married five times, with each union lasting longer than the previous. He wed Janice Gordon in 1958, and they divorced two years later. That same year, he married Jean Rogers, with their marriage ending in 1963. His third marriage, to Margo Anderson in 1964, lasted 12 years.
In 1977, Rogers married actress Marianne Gordon. Their 16-year marriage ended in 1993. Four years later, he married Wanda Miller, his fifth and final wife, in 1997.
Reflecting on his marriages, Rogers once said:
“It may sound odd, but I truly loved every woman I married at the time I married her. I don’t blame them for the divorces—I blame myself and the demands of my career. Music was my mistress, and it often came first.”
2. A Proud Father of Five, Including Twin Boys
Rogers was the father of five children. He had a daughter, Carole, with Janice Gordon; a son, Kennedy, with Margo Anderson; and another son, Christopher, with Marianne Gordon.
With Wanda Miller, Rogers welcomed twin boys, Justin and Jordan, in 2004. The twins often joined their father on tour, and even made appearances on stage alongside him, showcasing the strong family bond they shared.
3. A Lasting Love: Over 22 Years with Wanda Miller
Kenny and Wanda’s love story began serendipitously in Atlanta, where she was working as a hostess at a restaurant. Although Rogers had come in to meet someone else on a blind date, it was Wanda who caught his attention. He later called the restaurant to ask about her—and the rest was history.
The couple married on June 1, 1997, at Rogers’ estate in Georgia. Despite a 28-year age gap, their marriage endured more than two decades. In a 2012 interview, Rogers said:
“She’s truly my soul mate. She knows me better than anyone ever has. I have enormous respect for her as a mother. The boys are lucky to have her—and so am I.”
Wanda remained by his side until his death.
4. Humble Beginnings in Houston & a Family of Eight
Born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, Kenny Rogers was the fourth of eight children in a working-class family. His mother, Lucille Lois, worked as a nurse’s assistant, while his father, Edward Floyd Rogers, was a carpenter.
Rogers spoke candidly about his father’s struggles with alcoholism in his memoir Luck or Something Like It, revealing how it shaped his childhood:
“One of the greatest tragedies of my life is never understanding why my dad drank. He couldn’t support his family, and I think it broke him. It breaks my heart that I didn’t know this until after he passed.”
These experiences led Rogers to avoid alcohol altogether throughout his life.
5. A Beloved Pet Goat Named Smitty
In addition to music and family, Rogers found peace and companionship in an unlikely friend: a pet goat named Smitty. Acquired in 2008, Smitty lived on Rogers’ Georgia estate and quickly became an important part of his life.
Describing the bond, Rogers once said Smitty was “his center,” bringing him calm and comfort during his later years.
A Legacy Beyond Music
Kenny Rogers was more than a country superstar. He was a devoted father, a man who loved deeply, and someone who never forgot his roots. His music will live on, but so too will the memory of the life he lived and the love he gave.