Loretta Lynn has left behind one of the most magnificent legacies in country music. She is most well-known for her countless hit songs, which earned her the title of “Queen of Country.” Since her voice began to be broadcast over the airwaves, her prolific and true songs have remained as current as they were when they were first released, making her the most decorated female country music artist in the annals of the genre’s history.
However, before she had a tremendous career that was developed out of a voice of power, independence, and even rebellion, her life was not always as glitzy as it seems now.
Lynn was born in April 1932 to her parents Melvin Theodore Webb, a coal miner, and Clara Marie. She spent her childhood in a modest cabin in a disadvantaged Appalachian coal-mining hamlet in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Her father was a coal miner.
She wed Oliver Vanetta Lynn, Jr. only a few months before her 16th birthday, and the couple went on to have four children, all of whom were born prior to Lynn reaching the age of 20. On November 26, 1948, they had their first child, a girl named Betty Sue. They then welcomed their son Jack Benny exactly one year later.
Clara Marie was born on April 7, 1952, and their third child, Ernest Ray, came into the world on May 27, 1951. After the birth of their fourth child, Lynn and her husband went on a break so that Lynn could concentrate on her music career. In 1960, she released her first hit song, which was titled “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl.”
Lynn became even more eager to continue pursuing a career in music when the song became a smash later that year. As a result, she released her debut album, titled “Loretta Lynn Sings,” in 1963, which was followed by a run of country singles that landed in the Top 10 of the charts.
Her professional success was mirrored by the success in her personal life. On August 6, 1964, she and her husband gave birth to their youngest children, who turned out to be identical twins named Patsy and Peggy.
Lynn and her husband remained true to their marriage vows, which said that they would be together through thick and thin until loss could tear them apart. Lynn, who was known to be very enthusiastic about everything that she did, including singing, composing, and playing the guitar, gave her marriage her complete and undivided attention.
Lynn spoke in her book “Still Woman Enough” about the wayward ways of her husband, including his violent and philandering behaviors. Despite this, she continued to be committed to him and loved him endlessly in spite of his shortcomings.
She overcame the sorrow of her grief by channeling it into music, and she openly acknowledged that she still believed in love. She would often assert that your guy was not worth having if he was not worthy of being fought for, and vice versa.
She would, however, also say that her spouse was her hugest supporter. She freely confesses that without him, she never would have been able to achieve her goals, from purchasing her first guitar to assisting in the promotion of her debut song.
Unfortunately, Oliver went away in 1996, and the singer found it hard to deal with the loss of her friend and collaborator. She said that she had seen him everywhere and in everything in the home, including the bathroom mirror.
The quaint house is situated on five acres of rural property that is immediately on the Harpeth River. It has more than 300 feet of direct waterfront access, which is ideal for activities like fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. When one enters, they are greeted by a large lobby that features an elegant staircase. In addition to a formal dining room and living room, there is also a living area that has mahogany walls and a fireplace.
Granite was used for the kitchen worktops, and the cabinets were made to order. The property also has a bonus room and a sunroom, both of which are outfitted with hardwood flooring, tile flooring, and carpeting respectively.
Just a few short weeks after Lynn paid an emotional homage to her late husband in the form of an Instagram post, the couple’s home was put up for sale and included a black and white picture of the two of them with the caption:
“If my Doo were alive today, she would be 96 years old. Wow! I will never forget the young soldier whom I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time at Butcher Holler. Best wishes on your birthday, sweetie.”
However, it will not be the first time that Lynn thinks about her husband in such a loving way. She shared an image on social media in January that showed her resting her head on Oliver’s shoulder. The following was written in the post in honor of the couple’s 74th anniversary of their wedding day:
“We were together for 48 years, and I really miss having him around. I wish he was still here.”
Lynn had the good fortune to have a long and healthy life throughout her life. However, becoming older brings a whole host of new health problems with it. In 2017, the singer had a stroke, which ultimately led to her decision to end her touring career. Several months later, she had a fall that resulted in a shattered hip.
“My Memaw is as famous as a rock star. Never underestimate her. She is doing really well! That woman is incredibly strong. A little setback is not going to prevent her from reaching her goals.
The singer had a challenging rehabilitation, but once she got back to work, she was eager to pick up where she left off. In the latter half of 2018, she released her album titled “Wouldn’t It Be Great.” In an interview with Jenna Bush Hager, which took place in October of the same year, the singer discussed her health and noted how great she was feeling. According to an article in Taste of Country, she stated:
“I feel amazing. I am in such a wonderful mood that it makes me feel embarrassed to even admit that I am in such a good mood.”
Lynn is most appreciative of her six children and the love of her family, despite the numerous accolades she has received over her career, which include awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Grammys, among many others.
