Willie Nelson is an American singer and songwriter who was born on 29 April 1933. Now years old, he still performs and has been recognized as an actor among other things. Here are facts to know about him.
Facts About Willie Nelson
1. He was born and raised in the United States
It was on April 29, 1933, that the country singer was born in Abbot Texas, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Ira Doyle Nelson and Myrle Marie Nelson together with his sister, Bobbie Nelson.
2. He started his musical career at an early age
Willie’s career started at a very early age. He started writing songs when he was only 7 and by the time he was 10, he had already joined his first band. However, it was at the age of 23 that he started professionally. Since then, he has released many albums and singles.
3. Willie Nelson is also an actor
Apat from his musical career, Willie Nelson is also an actor, he has appeared in many films and TV shows sine 1976 when he made his acting debut. In 1980, he got an Academy Award nomination for his role in Honeysuckle Rose.
4. Willie Nelson’s sister is also a musician
Willie’s older sister, Bobbie Lee Nelson was also a successful singer and pianist. She was born on January 1, 1931, and her career lasted from 1953 until 2022 when she died at the age of 91. She once performed together with her husband, Bud Fletcher, and brother, until her marriage to Bob ended. Bobbie would later continue er career with her brother, but then in 2008, she released her first solo album, Audiography.
5. Willie Nelson’s wife is Annie D’Angelo
Willie Nelson’s wife at the moment is Annie D’Angelo. She is a makeup artist who has been married to the famed country musician since 1991, making this his longest marriage thus far. The pair met for the first time in 1986 on his movie set and they soon fell in love. According to Willie, his marriage to his wife is the smartest thing he has ever done. When they met, D’Angelo was 30 while Nelson was already 53.
6. He had been married three times before meeting D’Angelo
The first marriage of the American singer was to Martha Matthews. The pair tied the knot in 1952 and were together until 1962 when the marriage came to an end. The relationship was a difficult one for the two. At one point, Martha tied her former husband with their kid’s jump rope after he got drunk and passed out and then she beat the hell out of him.
A year after the marriage came to an end, Willie married his second wife, Shirley Collie Nelson, who was also a country singer. They got married in 1963 and although things seemed to be going well, the marriage ended in 1971 after it came to light that he had fathered a child with Connie Koepke, the woman who became his third wife.
Connie Koepke became Willie Nelson’s third wife in 1971, the same year his marriage to his second wife came to an end. A film producer, she was married to the singer until 1988 when the union also ended as his previous union in divorce. Their marriage came to an end because of the affair he was having with Annie D’Angelo.
7. He has 8 children
From his four marriages and relationships, Willie Nelson became a father of four children. The oldest of his kids is Renee Butts whom he had with his friend, Mary Haney. Willie did not know Renee was his daughter until 2012. Rebee was born Lynda Renee Barley on January 22, 1953, which means she is now years old.
His second child is his daughter, Lana Nelson Fowlerwhi was born to him during his first marriage to Martha Mathews. Lana Nelson was born on November 11, 1953, and she is now years old. She has worked in the film industry as a costume designer.
Willie Nelson’s next child is also with Matthews- Susie Nelson. Susie was born on May 23m 1956 which makes her now years old, She has worked for many years as a musician and storyteller. She is also an author.
The first son of the musician and his last child with his first wife is William “Billy” Hugh Nelson Jr. He was born on May 12, 1958. Although he started following the career path of his father, life became difficult for him after he lost his mother and got separated from his wife. He suffered from alcohol abuse and then in 1991 at the age of 33, he ended his life.
Paula Carlene Nelson became his fifth child and the first with his third wife, Koepke. Paula was born on October 27, 1969, when the musician was still married to his second wife. Paula has also become a musician just like her father.
His next child is Amy Lee Nelson who was born to him from his marriage to Koepke. Amy was born on July 6, 1973, which means she is now years old. She has worked in Hollywood but also has a career as a musician.
After Amy is Lukas Autry Nelson, who became the first child between Willie and his current wife, D’Angelo. He was born on December 25, 1988, making him years old. He has been singing since the age of 11. The last child of the family is Jacob “Micah” Nelson. Willie had Micah born on May 24, 1990, with his wife, D’Angelo. He is years old and has also followed after his father as a musician.
8. Willie Nelson’s Net Worth is estimated at 25 million
With a career that has lasted for many years, Willie Nelson’s net worth is now put at $25 million. He made his fortune from his singing career as well as from acting, writing, and many other things.
9. He still performs at the age of 90
You would think that he must have retired by the age of by the age of 90, but the singer is still very much active in 2023.
