The Four Wives Of Willie Nelson: A Deep Dive Into His Tumultuous Marriage History And Current Life With Annie D'Angelo
Few figures in American music history have a life story as colorful and complicated as Willie Nelson. The legendary "Outlaw Country" icon, known for his unique blend of country, folk, and jazz, has had a career marked by musical genius, financial struggles, and a famously tumultuous personal life, most notably his four marriages. As of December 2025, Nelson remains happily married to his fourth wife, Annie D'Angelo, a partnership that has lasted over three decades—a testament to finding true stability later in life.
The journey to this lasting union was anything but smooth, involving heartbreak, infidelity, and the birth of eight children, many of whom have become musicians themselves. This deep dive explores the four women who stood by the Red Headed Stranger, from the turbulent early years to the peaceful, enduring partnership he shares today with Annie D'Angelo, the woman who famously jokes he is "Benjamin Buttoning" her due to his remarkable vitality at over 90 years old.
Willie Hugh Nelson: The Outlaw Icon's Profile and Biography
Before exploring the details of his four wives, it is essential to understand the man himself. Willie Nelson's life has been a relentless pursuit of music and freedom, a path that often conflicted with the demands of a traditional family life.
- Full Name: Willie Hugh Nelson
- Born: April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas
- Genre: Country, Outlaw Country, Folk, Jazz
- Key Career Highlights: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1993), Kennedy Center Honors (1998), multiple Grammy Awards, co-founder of Farm Aid.
- Signature Songs: "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "On the Road Again," "Always on My Mind."
- Total Marriages: Four
- Total Children: Eight (Renee Butts, Lana Nelson Fowler, Susie Nelson, William "Billy" Hugh Nelson Jr., Paula Carlene Nelson, Amy Lee Nelson, Lukas Autry Nelson, Jacob Micah Nelson).
- Current Residence: Maui, Hawaii, and his ranch in Spicewood, Texas, known as "Luck, Texas."
The First Marriage: Martha Matthews (1952–1962)
Willie Nelson's first marriage was arguably his most volatile. He married Martha Matthews in 1952 when he was 19 and she was just 16, shortly after his brief stint in the Air Force.
Matthews, whom Nelson fondly nicknamed "Dynamite," was known for her fiery temper and passion. Their relationship was marked by intense arguments, fueled by Nelson's struggling career and frequent touring. Nelson himself has recounted stories of their physical altercations in his autobiography, describing their decade-long marriage as a "brawl."
They had three children together: Lana Nelson Fowler, Susie Nelson, and William "Billy" Hugh Nelson Jr. Tragically, Billy Nelson passed away in 1991. The marriage ended in divorce in 1962 as Nelson's career began to take off in Nashville.
The Second Marriage: Shirley Collie (1963–1971)
A year after his divorce from Martha, Nelson married his second wife, Shirley Collie, in 1963. Collie was a singer and songwriter herself and the ex-wife of DJ Biff Collie.
The couple often toured together, and Collie even joined Nelson in his band, making their partnership both personal and professional. However, this marriage also succumbed to the pressures of the road and Nelson's infidelity.
The marriage famously ended in 1971 after Collie discovered a hospital bill for Nelson's new daughter, Paula Carlene Nelson, whose mother was Connie Koepke, a woman Nelson had been having a long-term affair with.
The Third Marriage: Connie Koepke (1971–1988)
Connie Koepke, an American film producer, was the woman at the center of the breakdown of Nelson's second marriage. They married in 1971, the same year his divorce from Shirley Collie was finalized.
Koepke gave birth to two daughters: Paula Carlene Nelson (born 1969) and Amy Lee Nelson. Both Paula and Amy have followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming musicians.
This marriage lasted 17 years, the longest of his first three, but it ultimately ended in divorce in 1988. By this time, Nelson had already met the woman who would become his fourth and final wife.
Annie D'Angelo: The Enduring Partnership and Current News
Ann Marie "Annie" D'Angelo is Willie Nelson's fourth and current wife. Their relationship represents a period of stability and peace in the musician's life, a stark contrast to the drama of his earlier marriages.
The Fateful Meeting on a Movie Set
Nelson and D'Angelo, a professional makeup artist, met in 1986 on the set of his made-for-TV movie, Stagecoach. At the time, Nelson was still married to Connie Koepke.
Nelson has openly described his connection with Annie as "all-consuming" and a love that finally grounded him. They married in 1991 in a quiet ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.
They share two talented sons, Lukas Autry Nelson and Jacob Micah Nelson, both of whom are accomplished musicians and frequently tour with their father, continuing the family's musical legacy.
The Secrets to the 30+ Year Union
The longevity of the marriage between Willie Nelson and Annie D'Angelo, which has now lasted for over three decades, is often attributed to D'Angelo's grounded nature and her ability to handle the eccentricities of the country legend's life.
Nelson has credited D'Angelo with bringing a much-needed sense of domestic tranquility and stability to his life. She has been a constant presence, managing his health and home life, allowing him to focus on his music and activism.
The Latest Updates (December 2025)
The couple continues to live a relatively private life between their homes in Maui and Texas. Despite Willie Nelson being well into his nineties, the relationship remains strong and playful. In a recent interview, D'Angelo humorously commented on her husband's incredible vitality, joking that he is "Benjamin Buttoning" her because he seems to be getting younger while she ages normally.
Furthermore, D'Angelo recently took to social media to "clap back" at an inaccurate media report that had posted incorrect details about their son, Lukas Nelson, demonstrating her protective and engaged role in the family's public image. This recent action highlights her commitment to managing the narrative around the Nelson family, ensuring their private lives are respected.
Beyond the Wives: Willie Nelson's Eight Children and Legacy
Willie Nelson's complex romantic history resulted in a large and talented family. He is the father of eight children, a fact that speaks volumes about his life "On the Road Again."
The children, in order of birth, are:
- Renee Butts (Daughter): Born in 1953 to his friend Mary Haney. Nelson did not learn he was her father until 2012. Renee passed away in 2017.
- Lana Nelson Fowler (Daughter): From his first marriage to Martha Matthews.
- Susie Nelson (Daughter): From his first marriage to Martha Matthews.
- William "Billy" Hugh Nelson Jr. (Son): From his first marriage to Martha Matthews (deceased 1991).
- Paula Carlene Nelson (Daughter): From his relationship with Connie Koepke (born before their marriage).
- Amy Lee Nelson (Daughter): From his marriage to Connie Koepke.
- Lukas Autry Nelson (Son): From his current marriage to Annie D'Angelo. He leads the band Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.
- Jacob Micah Nelson (Son): From his current marriage to Annie D'Angelo. He is also a musician, performing under the name Particle Kid.
The Nelson children, particularly Lukas and Micah, are instrumental in carrying on the family's musical legacy, often performing alongside their father. This enduring musical dynasty, rooted in the chaos and creativity of Willie Nelson's life, proves that even the most unconventional family structures can lead to extraordinary success. The stable foundation provided by Annie D'Angelo has clearly allowed the nonagenarian legend to continue his career, ensuring his ongoing impact on country music for generations to come.
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