Rita Coolidge: Behind the Fame of Kris Kristofferson’s Ex-Wife and Their Devastating Loss

Inside the Life of Kris Kristofferson’s Ex-wife, Rita Coolidge — The Pair Tragically Lost Their Second Child

Rita Coolidge has accomplished a lot in her life, from being a household name in music throughout the 1970s to overcoming personal tragedy, such as the death of a child while she was married to Kris Kristofferson. She is still captivating followers in her late 70s, as they are in awe of her ageless elegance and beauty.

Rita Coolidge’s rise to prominence started when she relocated to Memphis in the late 1960s and began providing backing vocals for Bonnie Bramlett and Delaney. She performed with some of the biggest names in music, such as Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Stephen Stills, due to her extraordinary vocal talent.

She moved to Los Angeles and quickly rose to fame as a vocalist, contributing to many memorable records and live performances in the 1970s. She signed a solo contract with A&M Records in 1971 after showcasing her unmistakable skill, and the label issued her self-titled debut album.

Despite its initial lack of economic success, it solidified her reputation as a well-respected artist in the field. After marrying the legendary country music performer Kris Kristofferson in 1973, Coolidge’s career took off.

Combining their skills on stage and in the recording studio, they went on to become one of the most renowned pairs in the music industry. For their joint efforts on “From the Bottle to the Bottom” in 1974 and “Lover Please” in 1976, the pair was honored with two Grammy Awards.

Even with their career successes, they had several problems in their relationship. Later, when Coolidge thought back on their marriage, she acknowledged that although she never meant to portray Kristofferson negatively, their problems were evident.

Early in their relationship, the couple’s chemistry carried over into their work life as well as their personal ones. Coolidge and Kristofferson enthralled listeners with their harmonies and mutual love of music when they performed and recorded together.

But when Kristofferson’s acting career took off, their marital discord increased. Coolidge vehemently refuted the accusations made by critics that she had hitched herself to Kristofferson’s wagon. “He didn’t have any hit records when Kris and I were touring. Yes, I did. Both in our careers and in our relationship, we were equals,” she remarked.

Additionally, Coolidge was open about the emotional cost of their private lives. Kristofferson was not at the recording studio since he was getting offers for movies while she was recording music.

In addition, Coolidge claimed that Kristofferson minimized her abilities and mistreated her emotionally. “He might think I treated him badly. Not that I was, I think. It wasn’t always like that. I sobbed every day because it was enough, and that’s not a healthy way to live,” she admitted.