Who is Rita Coolidge? Meet Kris Kristofferson's ex-wife who became a songwriter for artists like...

Following the recent death of Kris Kristofferson at the age of 88 on Saturday, Dailymail.com is now focusing on his former wife, Rita Coolidge.

Kristofferson's family told People that he 'died peacefully' on Saturday at his home in Maui, Hawaii, following a number of health struggles in his later years.

Coolidge, who is 79, and Kristofferson were married between 1973 and 1980. They first met on a flight to Memphis in 1971 at an airport in the Los Angeles area. In a 2016 interview with People, Coolidge mentioned that she likes to describe it as "love at first flight" because they talked the entire journey to Memphis.

Coolidge revealed that she and Kristofferson, who tied the knot on August 17, 1973, made a promise to marry each other shortly after they first met and even chose a name for their future child during those initial hours.

She mentioned, "Kris and I share a special connection, and we find humor in things that others might not understand. Our bond is something that goes beyond explanation."

Following the death of Kris Kristofferson at the age of 88 on Saturday, Dailymail.com is turning its attention to his former wife, Rita Coolidge. The image was taken in New York City in 1979.

Coolidge, seen in London in 2018, has spent her life as a singer and songwriter.

The lines between work and personal life often blur.

Coolidge and Kristofferson went on to put out three highly praised albums: Full Moon in 1973, Breakaway in 1974, and Natural Act in 1978.

The pair won two Grammy Awards for their collaborations: one in 1974 for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with the song "From the Bottle to the Bottom," and another in 1976 for the same category with "Lover Please."

In 1975, they received a nomination in the same category for their song "Loving Arms."

In 1974, the couple had a daughter named Casey Kristofferson, who is a musician.

In an interview with Asheville Movies back in 2009, Casey mentioned that she made a conscious effort to steer clear of any accusations of favoritism due to her family connections.

"Having grown up constantly traveling, I've always shied away from attention," Casey shared. "I found myself drawn to the punk rock culture, classical ballet, and music—pretty much anything that kept me from being known solely by my name."

In her memoir published in 2016, *Delta Lady*, Rita shared that she sadly went through a miscarriage in 1977.

Coolidge was spotted at an event at The Music Center in Los Angeles on January 14, 2023.

Coolidge and Kristofferson were married between 1973 and 1980. They first met in 1971 on a flight to Memphis while at an airport in the Los Angeles area. The two are seen together in Canada in 1972.

The two artists won a couple of Grammys together for their joint efforts: In 1974, they received the award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for their song "From the Bottle to the Bottom." Then, in 1976, they won again in the same category for "Lover Please."

In her memoir, Coolidge mentioned that Kristofferson's infidelity and heavy drinking had a negative impact on their relationship.

In recent years, they seemed to have a friendly relationship. She referred to him as "an incredible person" and "a national treasure" during a 2019 conversation with MichaelCavacini.com.

Coolidge shared, "Kris is an amazing person. He’s an exceptional songwriter. He’s been a dear friend to me and the father of my daughter, so I can only speak highly of Kris."

She characterized their marriage as "unstable," saying, "Everything is detailed in the book, and that's part of why I wrote it. It wasn't to expose Kris, but rather to share my own experiences with him."

In her book, she highlighted several challenges they faced in their marriage, especially as he pursued a career in acting instead of focusing on music.

"When Kris and I were performing together, he hadn't yet released any popular songs, but I had some. In terms of our work and our relationship, we were on the same level," she explained. "I was the one who made recordings."

"I used to release an album every year or two, which I believe is what he truly wanted above all else. However, opportunities in filmmaking kept presenting themselves, and he ultimately decided to pursue that path."

She reflected on the chaos in their relationship, saying, "He might believe I treated him poorly, but I don’t see it that way. It wasn’t a constant issue; it was just enough to make me cry every day, which isn’t a healthy way to exist. When we ended our marriage, I didn't demand anything from him."

Coolidge and Kristofferson, shown in 1973, went on to produce three highly praised albums: "Full Moon" in 1973, "Breakaway" in 1974, and "Natural Act" in 1978.

In her memoir, Coolidge mentioned that Kristofferson's infidelity and alcohol use had a significant impact on their relationship. The photo shows them near the conclusion of their marriage in 1979 in New York City.

The two have kept a friendly relationship, as they were seen looking affectionate in a photo from 1986, six years following their split.

Coolidge produced several highly praised albums during and after her time with Kristofferson, featuring popular singles like "We're All Alone" and "Higher And Higher" from 1977, as well as "All Time High" from the Octopussy soundtrack in 1983.

She also created a music group called Walela with her sister Priscilla Coolidge and her niece Laura Satterfield. They even performed alongside the late Robbie Robertson during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Coolidge entered the world in Lafayette, Tennessee, on May 1, 1945. Her father, Dick Coolidge, was a minister, and her mother, Charlotte, worked as a schoolteacher. She grew up with her two sisters, Linda and Priscilla, with whom she often sang, as well as her brother, Raymond.

As she progressed in her music career, she joined the folk band R.C. And The Moonpies and took on a job at a Memphis recording studio named Pepper Sound.

As a singer, she collaborated with musicians like Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills, and she toured alongside legendary figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, and George Harrison.

Coolidge, who launched her first album "Turn Around And Love You" in 1969, also enjoyed a successful career as a songwriter and worked with well-known musicians such as Clapton and the Carpenters.

"It's really about the experience," she mentioned in her 2016 book. "At times, the journey is bright and colorful, while at other moments, it feels like you're trudging through the dirt. Despite it all, I'm still standing strong and full of appreciation for the entire journey of creating music."

Coolidge enjoyed a distinguished career as a songwriter, working with renowned artists like Clapton and the Carpenters. The photo was taken in New Orleans in 2019.

In her 2016 memoir titled "Delta Lady," Rita shared insights about her professional journey and personal experiences. The photo shows her in La Jolla, California, in 2016.

Coolidge, seen in a photo from 2018 in Los Angeles, expressed in her 2016 book: "The focus is on the journey itself. At times, the road is lined with rainbows, while at other moments, it can be obscured in the muck."

According to VC Star, Coolidge's sister Priscilla lost her life when her husband fatally shot her during a murder-suicide incident on October 2, 2014, in Thousand Oaks, California.

Coolidge shared with The Star, "No words can convey the heartbreak our family is experiencing after losing my sister, Priscilla. We kindly request privacy as we go through this period of grief."

In her 2016 book, she elaborated on the family tragedy, saying, "She was like my other half. We communicated daily and collaborated on music for many years."

Coolidge remarked, "She was my closest friend for as long as I can recall, and losing her would have completely devastated me."

Losing her to a deranged individual with a gun made it impossible to come to terms with. It took me quite a while to accept that she wouldn’t be reaching out to me anymore.