How many wives did Willie Nelson have? All about the country singer’s relationships 

Kamala Harris Holds Rally In Houston, Texas Highlighting Support For Reproductive Rights - Source: Getty
Kamala Harris Holds Rally In Houston, Texas Highlighting Support For Reproductive Rights - Source: Getty

On the Road Again hitmaker Willie Nelson turned 92 on April 29, 2025. The American singer-songwriter and guitarist, famous for his outlaw country music, which is known for its anti-establishment themes and gritty sound, has released a new track Oh What A Beautiful World on April 25, 2025.

One of the most influential and prominent figures in the American outlaw subgenre is not only known for his music, but also for his activism that includes fighting for the rights of the farmers, advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, and the legalization of recreational cannabis.

With an impressive and commendable career spanning over seven decades, Nelson, despite facing several health issues over the years, has continued to pursue music and perform live. His most recent performance was at his annual Luck Reunion music festival, held on his ranch just outside Austin, Texas.

Willie Nelson, besides being a successful musician and a well-established artist, is also a family man. He had been married four times, and he is currently married to Annie D'Angelo, his fourth wife. The couple has been together for over 32 years now. He has eight children, whom he shares with his wives. Nelson shares Lucas and Michah with Annie D'Angelo; Lana, Susie, and Billie with Martha Matthews; Paula and Amy with Connie Koepke; and Renne with Mary Haney, who was Willie's friend.


Let's take a closer look at Willie Nelson's relationships and his four wives

Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic - Source: Getty
Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic - Source: Getty

The 92-year-old Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, as we mentioned, was married four times to four different women: Martha Matthews, Shirley Collie, Connie Koepke, and Annie D'Angelo. With four marriages, Nelson, in a 2010 interview with Parade, said:

"I’m not easy to live with. I’ve been used to doing things my own way for so long that I’m not interested in any suggestions."

However, let's move forward and find out about Willie's former wives and his present wife, Annie D'Angelo, below:

Marth Matthews

According to Sunset Boulevard Records, Willie met Martha when he was 19 and she was 16, after getting discharged from the Air Force as he faced a back injury. After getting married, they had three children. However, their marriage was not a happy one and ended in 1962. As per certain reports, they drank, fought, and quarreled a lot.

Shirley Collie

The guitarist and songwriter Shirley Collie had a successful career and became Willie's second wife when she married him in 1963. However, their marriage came to an end in 1971 when Collie found out that he was cheating on her and was having an affair with Connie Koepke, as she found a bill from the maternity ward of a hospital in Houston.

Connie Koepke

After separating from Shirley, Nelson tied the knot with Connie Koepke that same year, with whom he shares two children. After being married for 16 years, they went their separate ways in 1988. Willie, in his memoir, regarding his marriage to Connie, wrote:

"I messed up another marriage. My wandering ways were too much for any woman to put up with."

Annie D'Angelo

Nelson met Annie D'Angelo while he was filming the 1986 film Stagecoach. She was the makeup artist. He fell in love with her and they eventually got married in 1991. It has been over three decades, and they are still together. Nelson shares two kids with Annie.

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Edited by Amey Mirashi