Rita Coolidge has had an incredible career, from being a ’70s music hero to managing personal grief, including the death of a child during her marriage to Kris Kristofferson. Now in her late 70s, she continues to attract audiences with her ageless beauty and elegance.
Rita Coolidge’s rise to prominence began in the late 1960s, when she went to Memphis and began working as a backup vocalist for Delaney and Bonnie Bramlet.
After migrating to Los Angeles, she established herself as a popular vocalist, contributing to classic albums and performances during the 1970s. Her apparent skill led to a solo deal with A&M Records, where she released her self-titled first album in 1971.
Although it did not originally attain economic success, it secured her reputation as a renowned musician in the profession. Coolidge’s career skyrocketed after she married country music icon Kris Kristofferson in 1973.
They became one of the most well-known couples in the music industry, combining their abilities onstage and in the studio. The pair received two Grammy Awards for their duets, “From the Bottle to the Bottom” (1974) and “Lover Please” (1976).
Despite their professional accomplishments, their partnership encountered significant hurdles. Coolidge subsequently commented on their marriage, stating that, while she never tried to portray Kristofferson negatively, the challenges they endured were evident.
During their years together, the couple had a daughter, Casey, but their troubles, notably the sad death of their second child, damaged their relationship even more.
By 1980, their marriage had reached a breaking point, resulting in divorce. Coolidge opted not to ask for anything in the settlement, instead focused on her work and raising their daughter.
In 2016, she reflected on their connection, saying, “Kris and I have a connection, and we laugh at things that no one else gets.” We simply have an unfathomable kinship. When asked if they’d perform together again, she grinned and said, “Never say never.”
Sadly, Kristofferson passed away on September 28, 2024, at the age of 88. He passed away quietly at his Maui home, surrounded by his family. Following his death, his family released a touching statement in which they expressed their thanks for the time they had together.
“We’re all quite grateful for our time with him. “Thank you for loving him all these years, and know that when you see a rainbow, he’s smiling down on us all,” they stated in their announcement. Take a peek at Rita Coolidge’s remarkable transformation throughout the years.
