No one in the world is exempt from tragedy or loss, not even the world’s biggest country music stars. When tragedy strikes it can be hard to continue on, especially when it involves something as heartbreaking as losing a child, spouse or sibling. These country music stars have suffered through some of the most unimaginable, terrible tragedies, but they haven’t let it bog them down. Faced with the choice of either giving up, or picking themselves up and moving forward, they all found a way to recover from some of the most heartbreaking experiences. Here’s a look at 10 of the most terrible country music tragedies:
10. George Strait
In 1986, country singer George Strait and his wife Norma suffered a terrible loss when they lost their first child. Their daughter, Jenifer Strait, was born on October 6, 1972. When she was only 13-years-old she was involved in a one-car accident while in San Marcos, Texas. She was ejected from the car in the accident and died immediately. Her death was far too early, but Strait didn’t let it happen in vein. He put his efforts into something worthwhile and started an organization called the Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation in her honor that donates money to San Antonio children’s charities. He doesn’t speak much about his late daughter, but during an interview with USA Today, he said his song “You’ll Be There” makes him think of her. “I’m a religious person. I honestly believe we will see each other in heaven someday. I wanted to do the song badly. The writer, Cory Mayo, held that song out because he knew I wanted to do it, and he waited until I had the chance. It was kind of him to do that.” Strait has one other child, a son named Bubba.
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