You probably don't need us to tell you that Reba McEntire is one of the most famous women in the world. She's dominated the country music industry and made her mark on television - both in scripted shows like Reba and Young Sheldon and also in popular reality shows such as America's Got Talent and The Voice. And while much of Reba's professional success has been linked to her strong and stable personal life and the support of her husband from the sidelines, that all changed in 2015. When her husband decided to divorce the singer after 26 years of marriage, it set in motion a chain of events that are still affecting her career today.
Completely Out of the Blue
Throughout her career, Reba McEntire has dealt with any career curveball that's come her way. But in 2015, she was dealt a curveball that she had not been expecting and one that knocked her for six. After 26 happy years of marriage, her husband, Narvel Blackstock, served her with divorce papers. His decision to end their marriage came completely out of the blue, and she had no idea how to deal with the situation.
In Reba's eyes, they had the perfect marriage and were still head over heels in love with each other. So, what had caused such a shift for him? Why did he want a divorce?
Back to the Beginning
To truly understand the downfall of Reba's marriage - and her subsequent career - we need to go back to the year when Reba and Narvel Blackstock first met. It was 1980, and Reba initially hired Narvel to play the steel guitar as part of her band. However, as the years went by, Reba realized that he was so much more than just a talented musician. By 1987, he had also become her manager and close confidant.
It wasn't long before their friendship turned romantic, and they both knew that they didn't want to be with anyone else. So, they married in 1989 and welcomed a son into the world in 1990.
Growing up in the Country
Although Reba was solidifying herself as the queen of country music when she married Narvel, getting married and settling down was something she had always imagined for herself. After all, she was from a big family herself and spent her early years living on her family's ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma. And while she always wanted to be a singer, she didn't let that get in the way of her ranch chores.
Reba and her siblings would spend almost all of their free time helping out on the ranch and learning the value of hard work. She believes it was these lessons that helped her make it in the music industry.
A Love for Music
But one thing you might not realize about Reba McEntire is the fact that, while she spent her days baling hay and riding around on tractors, she still grew up around music. Although her father was a world-champion steer roper, her mom once had dreams of becoming a country singer. She would sing to Reba and her siblings when they were younger, and Reba became enamored with singing and music.
But when a need for money became all too important, Reba's mom decided to squash her big dreams and get a job as a teacher instead. She didn't quit music completely, though.
Starting Young
In fact, Reba's mom loved sharing her love for music and her songs with her children. When Reba wasn't being taught the tools she needed to be a successful ranch hand by her father, her mom was teaching her to sing and sharing her favorite country music songs with her. This sparked a passion inside Reba, and she soon realized that she loved to perform - something she did for the first time in the first grade.
When Reba walked up on stage and sang "Away in a Manger," she knew it was where she wanted to be. Thankfully, her siblings loved singing, too, which is why they decided to become "The Singing McEntires."
Becoming Miss Ford Country
Spurred on by their love of country music, the McEntires would spend their free time listening to the likes of Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and many other country music greats. What she didn't realize at the time was that she would one day be listed alongside some of the biggest stars in the country music world. Before that, though, she got her first taste of fame as Miss Ford Country.
Reba won this essay contest when she was just 16 years old, and her prize was a six-month lease of a brand-new car. And this gave her just enough time to rack up some impressive miles - and some impressive car sing-a-longs.
Releasing Their Music
At first, The Singing McEntires was somewhat of a joke. The local town knew that the family loved singing and had impressive talent, but it wasn't until a few years later that they decided to make their musical talent profitable. So, they made The Singing McEntires official and started playing local rodeo halls, bars, and honky tonks. For the most part, they covered famous country songs - but they also wrote their own original songs, too.
One of their most famous songs came in the form of "The Ballad of John McEntire," which was inspired by their grandfather. Many of their original songs were even chosen to feature on local radio stations.
Finding Her Faith
As Reba and The Singing McEntires became even more famous in the local area, the young singer couldn't believe that her dreams of being a singer were coming true. Although she was only a fraction of the way there, she already felt as though she was a million miles away from her long days on the ranch - and she only wanted more. But it was during this time that Reba also found her faith.
In fact, Reba felt such a close connection to Christianity that she chose to be baptized. However, what she didn't realize at the time was how much she'd need her faith when her husband decided to divorce her out of the blue.
Not Giving up
By the time Reba graduated from high school, the hype around The Singing McEntires had dipped. Because of this, the young singer faced a big decision. She could either pursue a full-time career in music and risk it all, or she could play it safe like her mom and train to be a teacher. In the end, she decided to follow the latter path and studied education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
She didn't stop playing music, though. After class, she would play as many local venues and bars as she could - and it was this decision that ultimately changed the trajectory of her career.
The Day She Was Discovered
Many singers talk about the day they were "discovered," and for Reba McEntire, that happened in 1974. Although she was still studying at college at the time, she had been asked to sing the National Anthem at the National Rodo in Oklahoma City. This wasn't new territory for Reba as she had done similar gigs many times before, but what was different on that occasion was the fact that country star Red Steagall was sitting in the audience.
When Red heard her voice, he knew that she was special. So, he offered the young woman the chance to record a demo in Nashville - and a year later, she landed her first record deal with Mercury Records.
Getting Hitched for the First Time
With the push of the record label behind her, Reba McEntire was able to really make her mark on the music world. She released her first single in 1976, and the world began to realize that she was on her way to becoming a huge country music star. But that wasn't the only thing Reba had going for her in 1976. That same year, she also married her first husband, Charlie Battles.
As a rodeo star, Charlie wasn't famous - but he seemed to support his new wife in her musical ventures. She needed the support, after all, as Reba quickly realized that fame is conditional.
That Time When a Young Dolly Parton Took Her Stage Time
Many budding country music stars grow up dreaming of The Grand Ole Opry. Often dubbed as the home of country music, this venue has hosted the biggest country stars of all time, so Reba couldn't quite believe it when she was invited to perform there in 1977. However, her first stint on the big stage didn't go down well. For starters, she wasn't allowed in as the security guard didn't recognize her.
When she eventually got past security, the organizers of the gig weren't happy that she was late. In fact, she was told that her slot had been cut in half and given to Dolly Parton instead.
Her First Billboard No. 1
This hiccup at The Grand Ole Opry certainly hit Reba hard, but she knew that it was all part of the game. She knew she needed to climb further up the fame ladder to be taken seriously, so she put all of her attention into creating new music and releasing even more albums. Amazingly, this hard work paid off, and in 1984, Reba McEntire scored her very first Billboard No.1.
Although Reba was over the moon to learn that her album had reached the top spot, she felt unfulfilled at her record label. She wanted more creative control over her music, so she left Mercury and joined MCA Nashville Records instead.
Getting in Front of the Cameras
By the late 1980s, the music industry had changed. Although fans loved good music, they also loved good music videos - so Reba and her team made it their mission to create the most impressive music videos around. Reba had a huge part in this planning process, concocting dramatic and elaborate music videos that offered intense storylines, giant sets and props, and characters. In fact, some people called her music videos "mini-movies."
These music videos proved to be incredibly fruitful. They pushed her music onto even more people, but they also gave Reba the chance to realize that she loved being in front of the camera.
Becoming an Actress
After the success of her music videos, Reba realized that she wanted to be an actress - and it didn't take her long to hit the big screen. Her debut role came in 1990 when she starred alongside the likes of Kevin Bacon in Tremors. For this role, Reba became a fun-loving survivalist who battles against the worm monsters that threaten to overrun her town, and her character offered countless funny moments.
As Reba learned her lines and performed in front of the cameras, she was confident that her career was heading in the right direction. But on a personal level, she was struggling.
Cracks Were Forming
On a professional level, Reba was flying. Her music was topping the charts, she was landing dream acting roles, and fans were falling in love with her. But her husband, Charlie Battles, wasn't coping well with this change in their lives. As Reba's busy schedule took away from their Oklahoma ranch for longer stretches of time, he began to resent her sudden fame and fortune and felt like he was being left behind.
Although Charlie wanted Reba to stay at home on the ranch, Reba wanted to shoot to the stars. And in 1987, Reba finally decided that she'd had enough, and packed her bags, and left.
A Tragic Accident
Reba knew that leaving her husband was the right decision, but she had no idea how drastically her life would change over the next few years. In fact, she suffered a tragic blow in 1991 when a plane that was carrying her entire band crashed while flying over the mountains of San Diego. Sadly, eight members of her band were killed in the crash, and the news crushed Reba.
Reba wasn't on the plane herself, and Reba suffered immense survivor's guilt. After all, some of her band members had worked for her for years and had become like family to her.
"For My Broken Heart"
Reba was lost for many months after the crash. She didn't know what to do with herself, but she knew that she couldn't just carry on with her life as though nothing had happened. So, she decided to let her emotions go the only way she knew how: through song. And she dedicated her whole 16th album - "For My Broken Heart" - to those who had lost their lives in the crash.
Although Reba had never intended for the album to be a worldwide success, hearing such raw emotion and sorrow on an album struck a chord with her fans, and it sold over 4 million copies. But then Reba round herself in hot water.
The Infamous Red Dress
By the time 1993 came around, Reba McEntire was a household name, and everyone wanted a piece of her. That's why she was asked to perform alongside Linda Davis at the Country Music Awards. But when Reba stepped onto the stage, the audience gasped loudly as they saw what she was wearing, and they deemed the red dress to be way too revealing. To this day, the dress is still infamous.
Although Reba had not intended to make a splash with such an outfit, there's no denying the fact that it got the whole world talking about her - and it wasn't in a positive way.
She Wrote a Controversial Song About AIDS
During the 1990s, Reba McEntire had a huge influence on the world of country music. But while many of the country music stars on the scene were very conservative, Reba proved that she was anything but. In fact, she made waves when she released a song in 1994 called "She Thinks His Name Was John." This song followed the story of a woman who contracted AIDS despite the fact that AIDS was a hugely taboo subject.
But Reba knew that she wanted to take a stand and sing about the important things going on in the world, and that's one of the things that attracted Narvel to her.
A Bump in the Road
For the most part, Reba has been able to maintain an impressive career over the years. But there's no denying the fact that she has encountered a few bumps in the road. This was the case in 1995 when she released her 19th album, Starting Over. Although Reba was proud of the songs on this album and the meanings behind them, fans didn't seem to have the same connection to them.
Although her record label expected a few of her songs to make it into the top 10, only one song from the album managed to get on this list. Despite this, opportunities were still coming knocking.
A Chance to Star in James Cameron's "Titanic"
Although Reba kept releasing music, she also kept her ears open for more acting opportunities. Amazingly, an incredible opportunity came her way in 1996 when James Cameron offered her the chance to take on a role in Titanic. At the time, nobody knew how big the movie would become, but Reba was still interested and loved the idea of becoming the socialite Molly Brown. However, it just wasn't meant to be.
Although Reba wanted to take on the role, James and the production team kept changing her filming schedule. In the end, it conflicted too much with her touring schedule, and she had to turn it down.
She Donated All the Money From Her Album Sales in 1997
With all of her musical achievements and acting roles under her belt, it should come as no surprise to learn that Reba McEntire has garnered an impressive net worth. But back in 1997, she decided to do something that surprised everyone. After the release of her 20th album, What If It's You, Reba opted out of keeping the money she earned from the album sales. Instead, she decided to give it away to charity.
To be more specific, Reba chose to donate the proceeds from her album to the Salvation Army. In fact, she wrote the song "What If" about the charity itself. And this was just another reason why Narvel fell in love with her.
Heading to Broadway
By the time 2001 came around, Reba McEntire was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the most celebrated country music stars of all time, and it seemed as though she could do no wrong. But while she loved singing and recording music, Reba also loved acting. That year, she decided to ditch the screen for the stage and take on the lead role in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun.
As you can imagine, Reba thrived in this new role. The New York Times said that her performance as Annie was "without qualification the best performance by an actress in a musical comedy this season." She wasn't done yet, though.
Hooked on Acting
Reba's stint on Broadway lit a fire inside of her, and she couldn't get enough of acting. And while many expected her to go back into the recording studio, Reba decided to head back into the TV studio instead. After all, the WB network gave her the chance to star in her very own sitcom, and she just couldn't turn the opportunity down. A few months later, Reba made its way onto our screens.
It was a risky move, but one that definitely paid off for Reba. It became the network's highest-rated show of all time and even won Reba a Golden Globe Award.
Best Friends or Enemies?
Fans loved watching Reba on their screens, and while they knew it was a fictional story, they couldn't help but feel as though they were getting closer to the country music star. And that's all thanks to Reba herself. After all, the network had originally wanted to give Reba a fictional name, but Reba refused this idea. She wanted to remain true to herself and her fans - and this definitely worked in her favour.
Alongside this, fans also loved her on-screen enemy, Barbara Jean Hart. But what you might not realize is that this character was actually played by Reba's real-life best friend, Melissa Peterman.
Going Back to the Studio
Although it didn't seem possible, Reba thrust Reba McEntire even further into the limelight. She garnered all-new attention and embraced a whole new generation of fans. But in 2003, the call to go back to the recording studio was too strong to ignore. So, she took a break from acting to dust off her singing skills and released her 23rd studio album. As expected, it was an instant hit with her fans.
In fact, just four years later, she dominated headlines when she became the most-nominated female artist in CMA history. She seemed to be in the prime of her life, and she didn't show any signs of slowing down.
A Risky Move
As her music career took off again, many thought that it was a risky move for Reba to go back into the acting world. After all, she wasn't getting any younger, and with up-and-coming country artists dominating the charts, she needed to be firing on all cylinders. But it seemed as though Reba wanted to take the risk, especially for a network like ABC and a show like Malibu Country.
Although Reba drew a huge audience to the show, the writing and the other characters didn't go down as well. In fact, the show was canceled after just 18 episodes, and Reba was left in the lurch.
A Bold Return to Music
In that moment, Reba's career was hanging in the balance. She could either crumble under the weight of the failed television show, or she could once again focus on her music - and she decided on the latter option. This decision paid off, as Reba bagged her 56th Top 10 Country Hit in 2008. This was a big achievement for Reba, especially as she broke the previous record, which was held by none other than Dolly Parton.
With this record behind her, Reba decided to make a bold move. After 25 years with the MCS record label, she decided to part ways and try something new with Valory Music Group.
The Hollywood Rumor Mill
With so many achievements under her belt, it should come as no surprise to learn that Reba McEntire has a devoted fan base. But this fan base found itself in the center of controversy in 2012 when it was falsely reported that Reba had fallen off a cliff and died while filming a music video in Australia. This was then circulated around the Hollywood rumor mill and on social media by her devastated fans.
Thankfully, Reba didn't wait too long to prove that she was alive and well. However, she also took the opportunity to tell the people behind the hoax that they were "cruel."
Having to Say Goodbye
Despite the hoaxes that have followed her for many years, Reba has still been able to maintain her place within the limelight. This was celebrated in 2014 when she learned that she was going to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. This was a huge moment for Reba, who had dreamed of being a singer since she was a child. However, this big moment was overshadowed by a tragic event.
Just before she was due to be inducted, Reba learned that her father had suffered a stroke and was in a coma. Sadly, he passed away on the same day as the induction ceremony, so she had Dolly Parton accept the honor on her behalf instead.
Making a House a Home
Despite her personal hardships, Reba's finances have gone from strength to strength. As one of the most famous women in the world and with careers in the television and music industry, she's amassed an impressive fortune. And like many other celebs, she's chosen to pour a huge portion of her wealth into real estate. In fact, she bought a home in Beverly Hills in 2009 for a whopping $9 million.
This estate offered seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and plush perks such as a swimming pool and tennis court. However, she decided to move on from the home in 2015 and sold it for an impressive $22.25 million.
Reba and Faith Hill
As well as amassing a huge fortune, Reba McEntire has also amassed a huge collection of celebrity friends over the years - and this includes fellow country music stars. And while Reba is now good friends with Faith Hill, it might interest you to know that Reba once rejected Faith as a background singer for her tour. Faith knew she wasn't good enough at the time, but the rejection still stung.
However, being rejected technically saved Faith Hill's life as the woman who got the job over her later passed away in the tragic car crash that killed eight members of Reba's band.
Close Connections
Faith Hill isn't Reba's only close connection, though. When Reba first married Narvel Blackstock, he had a son from a previous relationship - and that son later married former American Idol singer Kelly Clarkson. Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson were married in 2013, and the two country singers became extremely close. In fact, they weren't just a step-mom and daughter-in-law. They were also good friends and hung out together all the time.
Their family dinners must have been so much fun and full of music, but sadly, neither of their relationships were meant to be. Not only did Reba and Narvel break up, but Kelly and Brandon did, too.
He Broke Her Heart
This tough blow came for Reba in 2015, when Narvel decided that he wanted to call time on their relationship. Unfortunately, this wasn't a mutual decision and something that Reba didn't see coming. Narvel broke her heart, and she even told reporters that she wanted to be married to Narvel forever. But after the breakdown of their 26-year marriage, Reba knew that she had to give him the space that he wanted - even if she didn't want to give it.
She told reporters, "I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles and go play somewhere else, is what daddy used to always say." Unfortunately, things didn't go completely to plan.
He Started Dating Reba's Best Friend
A few months after Narvel called it quits on their marriage, rumors began to circulate that he was already seriously dating someone else. However, this wasn't just a random woman he had bumped into on the street. Instead, his new woman was none other than Reba's best friend, Laura Putty Stroud. This news instantly made headlines, with many questioning the timeline between the breakdown of his marriage and this new relationship.
In fact, many went as far as to suggest that Narvel had actually cheated on Reba with her best friend - but these claims haven't been confirmed or denied by anyone close to them.
An Ex and a Manager
As if these rumors and a divorce weren't complicated enough, Reba also had to deal with the fact that Narvel was also her manager. This led to many questions about their professional relationship, and it was eventually decided that Narvel would continue to work as her manager for a year after their separation. But in 2016, she decided to forego having a manager entirely and form her own company to help herself and others.
Since her divorce, Reba has come a long way and managed to overcome the heartbreak caused by Narvel Blackstock. And as you can imagine, there are many men willing to do anything to date her.
Friends in High Places
In fact, Reba has so many friends in high places, and those who know this country music superstar often boast about her charming personality and her kind heart. That's one of the reasons why she's been friends with the likes of George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush for so many years. Reba and the former presidents love hanging out together, and apparently, they email each other all the time to keep in touch.
Not only that, but Reba and her ex-husband also used to vacation with the Bushs. As you can imagine, Narvel is no longer invited to these trips or friendly events.
Always a Country Girl
Of course, Reba's current life is a far cry from her childhood years. But while she has switched her family's ranch for giant mansions in Beverly Hills and local honky tonks for vacations with former presidents, that doesn't mean that she's lost her country edge. She'll always be a country girl at heart, and she's even a huge fan of firearms. In fact, she even has her own collection at home.
Over the years, Reba has learned how to skeet shoot and trap shoot, which she didn't learn when she was growing up. It seems her new boyfriend shares the same love, too.
A Brand New Love
Yes, Reba McEntire is dating again! After her marriage came to an end, many of her fans wondered whether she would get back on the dating horse or whether she'd stay single forever. But she proved in 2020 that she was willing to give love a second chance, and she found this new love in the form of CSI: Miami actor Rex Linn. The couple have been together ever since.
Due to the pandemic, Reba and Rex started a long-distance relationship. But it's now believed that the couple live together full-time, and are both happier than they have ever been before.