Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger made headlines in 2005 when their whirlwind romance led to a surprising and short-lived marriage. Although their union lasted only a few months, the story of their relationship continues to intrigue fans of both celebrities.
Sometimes love doesn’t last forever. Sadly, this was the case for the country music star Kenny Chesney and Oscar winning actress Renée Zellweger. It’s been over 19 years since Chesney and Zellweger said “I do”. Let’s take a quick look back at the relationship between this famous pair.
The Meeting
Kenny Chesney first met Renée Zellweger in January 2005 during NBC’s tsunami relief telethon. At the time they met, neither had ever been married, although both had previous long-term relationships that had failed. The two stars shared common ground – both have small town upbringings, and both are passionately committed to their careers.
In an past interview with PEOPLE, Chesney described their love, “I may well be the luckiest man alive.” He continued, “To be so in love with someone who is so perfect for me – it’s just hard to imagine that I’m not going to wake up.”
It seems Chesney had a crush on Zellweger even before they met. Chesney wrote the hit song, “You Had Me from Hello” after watching the movie Jerry McGuire. He told The Tennessean, “When Renée Zellweger said that line, I thought ‘That could be a great song’.”
The Wedding
The couple briefly dated and then married on May 9th, 2005. The ceremony was very secretive— not one photographer or publicist was in attendance. Only 35 close family and friends attended the sunset ceremony on St. John in the Virgin Islands.
The Annulment
After just four months of marriage, it was over. Their marriage was annulled and the two went their separate ways. Fraud was sited as the reason for the annulment. During a televised interview on 60 minutes with Anderson Cooper, Chesney said that he and Zellweger jointly decided on the “fraud” option, believing it was less harmful than the other options of bigamy, insanity, or force.
Chesney claims, “The only fraud that was committed was me thinking that I knew what it was like…that I really understood what it was like to be married, I really didn’t.”
Zellweger issued a statement clarifying that the term “fraud” was “simply legal language and not a reflection of Kenny’s character.” Chesney has no regrets about their relationship. He told E! News, “I loved her, you know? It was real.”
Rumors
Rumors began circulating that the marriage was dissolved because Chesney is gay. In 2016, Zellweger told E! News, “It made me sad that somehow people were using that as a way to be cruel and calling someone gay as a pejorative, which has fateful consequences.” She continued, “Of course, there’s the bigger picture problem of why anyone had to make up a story at all.”
In a more recent interview with PEOPLE, when asked why she clarified her reasons for separating from Chesney, she thought it was the right thing. It would seem the matter is closed after she shared, “I’d said all I needed to say on that subject.” Adding, “I’m an old-fashioned gal who doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to hang out your laundry on the lawn.”
Life After the Split
Both Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger have moved on to successful careers and fulfilling personal lives since their brief marriage. Chesney has continued to dominate the country music scene with chart-topping albums and sold-out tours, while Zellweger has enjoyed critical acclaim for her roles in films like “Judy,” which earned her a second Academy Award.
Though their marriage was fleeting, it remains a significant chapter in both their lives. The experience taught them valuable lessons about love, relationships, and self-discovery.
Reflecting on Their Journey
Kenny Chesney and Renée Zellweger’s relationship may not have stood the test of time, but it captured the hearts of fans and offered a glimpse into the complexities of balancing personal and professional lives. Their mutual respect and ability to move forward gracefully serve as a reminder that not all love stories are meant to last forever—and that’s okay.
For fans of both stars, the story of their short-lived marriage remains a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of love and life in the spotlight.
