It’s official, Reba McEntire‘s divorce from Narvel Blackstock has been finalized as of October 28th. McEntire choose to confirm the news via her Facebook page this past Thursday (Dec. 17) by posting a picture captioned “So proud of these people. They have been with me for over 20 years. Pictured l to r, Brian Leedham 24 years, Narvel Blackstock 35 years me, Penny Chubb 22 years. Top row Doug Sisemore 23 years and Cliff Williamson 23 years” with a comment on the picture that read “Narvel and I are divorced. It was final October 28”.
McEntire met Blackstock in 1980 when he joined her band as a steel guitar player. Blackstock then became her manager and created the management company, Starstuck Entertainment, that represents her today along with McEntire’s daughter-in-law Kelly Clarkson.
The couple announced their separation in early August, admitting that they had been separated for the past several months.
“Despite this being the end of their marriage, they continue to support each other,” a statement said. “They have worked together for 35 years and will continue to do so. They have asked that you respect their privacy during this time.”
McEntire and Blackstock have one son, Shelby Blackstock. Narvel Blackstock also has three children from a previous marriage, including Kelly Clarkson’s husband, Brandon Blackstock.
It was not the first marriage for McEntire either. In 1976, she married national steer wrestling champion and rancher Charlie Battles. Together, the couple owned a ranch in Oklahoma and managed her career. In 1987, McEntire divorced Battles and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She later commented to Bob Allen of Country Music about their separation, saying, “I had to pack everything in one day and leave. I was totally starting over.”
As for this time around, McEntire has a very positive outlook.
“I look forward to what’s next,” McEntire says. “… God is my manager, my tour manager, my scheduler, everything, and He’ll come up with the greatest things …”
