In a world where divorce is common, especially among celebrities, George Strait and Norma Strait are refreshing examples of lifelong commitment. The two have been married for over 50 years and still dote on each other like newlyweds!
Everyone knows country legend George Strait from his hits such as “She Let Herself Go,” “Give It Away,” as well as “You’ll Be There.” While his professional life has always been successful, George Strait also boasts a very successful private life.
George is one of the rare celebrities who has been married for over 50 years to the love of this life, Norma Strait. While the couple seems incredibly solid now, their love story is miraculous as it almost did not happen!
George and Norma did not consider each other as potential romantic interests even though they were from the same town. Until one fateful day, George asked Norma on a date. While the date did go successfully, the couple did not meet for a while.
George shared how he met his wife at the celebration of their 50th anniversary together in Las Vegas. The country singer said, “So I was 19 years old, and I knew this girl, Norma. She was 17, really hot. So we fell in love.”
George then dedicated his song “I Cross My Heart” to his beloved, as the crowd sang along with him. He mentioned that it had been 50 years since the couple had eloped to Mexico to tie the knot.
The couple eloped on December 4, 1971 and once they returned to Texas, they had another small church ceremony witnessed by their friends and family. After a short while, George had to leave to serve in Hawaii and Norma joined him soon after.
Life for the couple was ideal as they welcomed their daughter Jenifer 10-months after their marriage in October 1972 and then after a gap of 9 years, welcomed their son George “Bubba” Strait, Jr. in 1981.
Much like his successful domestic life, George Strait’s career as a musician was also thriving. The singer’s single “Fool Hearted Memory” proved to be a chart-topping hit.
Unfortunately the singer’s life was about to change drastically. His daughter Jenifer, who was 13 at the time met with a tragic car accident. She was in a car being driven by 18-year-old Gregory Allen who lost control of his Ford Mustang. Jenifer was not wearing a seat belt and was the only fatality in the tragic accident. She lost her life on June 25, 1986 in San Marcos, Texas.
The driver, Gregory Allen did not face any imprisonment or charges for Jenifer’s death. But the accident left a huge hole in the Strait family.
George Strait shared in an interview that the family constantly missed Jenifer. He said, “We were blessed to have been able to spend 13 years with our beautiful daughter Jenifer,” he continued, “we will all miss Jenifer very much, and we will never forget her, her smile and laugh. She meant the world to us, and we’ll miss her dearly.”
The singer has since then shared that he used his music as a way to cope and grieve for his daughter. He stated that his song “You’ll Be There” is about his beloved daughter.
He said, “You know, the things that have happened in my life and losing my daughter. I believe that someday we will be together again. I think that’s what we all strive for; to get to heaven someday.”
After he lost his daughter, George Strait became reclusive. He shared that he no longer wanted to do interviews and while he realized this might cost him his career, he did not care.
The singer has also shared was Jenifer’s passing did to to the rest of the family, especially his son ‘Bubba’. He said once, “Because of their nine-year age difference, Jenifer was like a second mother to Bubba in a way,” Strait added. “They had their arguments like a brother and sister do, but in the end, she always made Bubba feel like he came out on top.”
As for Norma Strait after the passing of her daughter, George shares the two leaned on one another even more. The couple’s relationship with each other and God grew stronger as they battled their grief.
It is a known fact that the death of a child can be devastating for marriage and often can result in divorce. However, for the Straits, their bond only grew stronger. The couple leaned on another in their loss and came out the other side stronger than before.
George has been known to go on record multiple times, praising his wife for standing by him through good and bad.
The two share a bond like no other. As the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, George made sure to publicly serenade his wife. He added about their relationship, “We love each other, and we still like each other. A lot!”
The singer talks about his faith a lot, crediting his belief to being the reason he is always grounded and humble. The singer has the ability to separate his two identities; the one on stage and off stage!
Since Jenifer’s passing, George Strait Jr. or ‘Bubba’ as he is lovingly known as became the couple’s only child. George Jr. attended Texas A&M University, where he embarked on his career as a competitive rodeo star. After he graduated, he went on to become a professional Rodeo Cowboys Association team roper.
George Jr. has also inherited his father’s musical abilities. He is a gifted singer and songwriter in his own right and has been credited as a writer on his father’s album ‘Twang’.
George Strait also married his longtime sweetheart Tamara, who is a successful real estate agent. The couple tied the knot in 2010 and have two beautiful children together, Jillian Louise Strait and George Harvey Strait III.
The family is very close-knit and spends all holidays together with George and Norma Strait doting on their grandchildren.
Despite mega-stardom, George Strait has an incredibly heartwarming and down-to-earth family life. He makes sure to be just plain old George around his family, and drop his musical superstar persona at home!
Share George and Norma Strait’s inspiring love story with others to let them know true love not only exists but perseveres!