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!”
A Man Sacrificed Everything to Care for His Wife, Who Has Been in a Vegetative State for Years
When people marry, they promise to love each other in sickness and in health. On their wedding day, no one think about illness, but some couples are tested by life’s challenges. Bruna and her husband David have been going through this trial for several years, inspiring admiration from those around them.
The story of this couple became viral and touched the hearts of people all over the world. David takes care of his wife, who has been in a vegetative state for several years. They were both under 30 when the tragedy occurred, but David remains optimistic and sacrifices everything for the woman he adores so much. Due to frequent absences, he lost his job and was left without money needed for Bruna’s recovery. That’s why he has an Instagram page and hopes for donations.
It was 2019. David César and Bruna de Sousa were watching TV on a normal day when, suddenly, Bruna started having convulsions due to cardiorespiratory arrest. In an interview, David recalled, “In a matter of three minutes, she lost all vital signs. We rushed to the hospital, and after 25 minutes, they managed to resuscitate her, but she had been without oxygen for a long time.”
According to David’s account, Bruna suffered from a disorder that does not affect the basic functions of the nervous system but does prevent her from perceiving her surroundings. In other words, his wife was left with permanent sequelae and in a vegetative state.
Bruna was hospitalized for almost two years, and since June 2019, David has devoted all his time to taking care of her in his own home. However, being unemployed, he could not meet all the needs of his partner. And yes, although she is at home, she needs the help of specialists, medications, food, and other things.
The truth is that what David was earning as a driver was not enough to cover his wife’s needs. For this reason, he was forced to start raising funds.
Although many charitable souls took pity on them, Bruna’s expenses kept increasing. David himself acknowledged this at the time: “We haven’t managed to get her retirement yet. But two volunteer lawyers are helping us. We are living on donations.”
Fortunately, after going through so many difficult moments, there was still hope. David learned of treatment in Canada thanks to the information provided by the neurologists. If he could get access to it, Bruna would have to take the medication for three years and combine it with physiotherapy. However, the cost of this option was around $20,000, so the couple had to resort again to raising funds through donations.
The young man started to raise money and collected 28,000 dollars, however, Bruna’s monthly costs are still very high, and she needs even more money. We hope that these funds will improve Bruna’s condition.
More than five years have passed since the pivotal moment when life took a different turn for Bruna and David. Through his Instagram profile, the young man shared memories of their relationship. Moreover, he diligently keeps his followers informed about the progress of his beloved wife.
This story inspires people around the world. Many users show their support for the couple, wishing Bruna a recovery and sending David strength and patience. Moreover, such unwavering devotion is regarded as true pure love. One of them wrote: “I believe in this love, and this made me cry and motivated”.
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