Reba McEntire is a highly successful American country singer, songwriter, actress, and producer with an estimated net worth of $95 million.
Over her decades-long career, she has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and holds the record for the most #1 albums by a female country artist—a total of 16.
In addition to her success in music, McEntire gained widespread recognition through her self-titled sitcom, Reba, which ran from 2001 to 2007.
Her accolades include multiple Grammy Awards, Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, solidifying her place as one of country music’s most celebrated artists.
Beyond music, she has made an impact in television, film, and Broadway, further proving her versatility as an entertainer.
Early Life and Introduction to Music
Reba McEntire was born in 1955 in Kiowa, Oklahoma, into a family with deep roots in the rodeo circuit.
While initially pursuing a career as a schoolteacher, her life took a dramatic turn when she sang the National Anthem at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City.
This performance caught the attention of country singer Red Steagall, who saw her potential and helped her land a record deal with Mercury Records in 1975.
Despite early struggles in the industry, she persisted and eventually found her breakthrough, transitioning from traditional country to a more contemporary pop-country sound that broadened her fan base.
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Rise to Fame and Music Career
McEntire released her self-titled debut album in 1977, but it failed to gain significant attention. However, her second album, Out of a Dream (1979), featured a successful cover of Patsy Cline’s “Sweet Dreams”, which helped her gain traction in the industry.
Her major breakthrough came in the 1980s and 1990s, when she dominated the country music charts with #1 hits such as:
- “How Blue”
- “Somebody Should Leave”
- “New Fool at an Old Game”
- “I Know How He Feels”
- “Does He Love You” (a duet with Linda Davis)
- “The Heart Won’t Lie” (a duet with Vince Gill)
- “Till You Love Me”
- “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter”
By the mid-1980s, nearly all of McEntire’s albums were achieving multi-platinum status. Her 1993 greatest hits compilation sold over 5 million copies, further cementing her influence in the genre.
She continues to release music and remains active in the industry, keeping her fanbase engaged with new projects.
Acting Career and Television Success
In addition to her music career, McEntire ventured into acting, making her debut in the 1990 cult classic Tremors. She later starred in the Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun, proving her talents extended beyond music.
Her most notable television role came in 2001, when she starred in the sitcom Reba, which ran for six seasons on the WB network and later on the CW.
Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
She has since appeared in several TV projects, lent her voice to animated films, and even starred in the 2023 Lifetime movie Reba McEntire’s The Hammer, playing Judge Kim Wheeler. In 2023, she also joined The Voice as a coach.
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Personal Life and Relationships
Reba McEntire has been married twice.
- First marriage (1976-1987): Married to Charlie Battles, a steer wrestling champion.
- Second marriage (1989-2015): Married to Narvel Blackstock, who also served as her manager. Through this marriage, she became stepmother to his three children, including Brandon Blackstock, who was married to Kelly Clarkson. The couple had one biological son, Shelby Blackstock, who became a professional race car driver.
After divorcing Blackstock in 2015, McEntire dated Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo from 2017 to 2019.
- She is currently in a relationship with actor Rex Linn, whom she started dating in 2020.
Real Estate and Business Ventures
Reba McEntire has made smart real estate investments throughout her career.
- In 2003, she and Blackstock purchased a 2-acre property in Beverly Hills for $9 million. They later sold it in 2015 for $22.5 million.
- They also owned the 80-acre Starstruck Farm in Gallatin, Tennessee, featuring a 12,800-square-foot mansion, an equestrian facility, a pool, and a tennis court. It was listed for $7.9 million in 2016 and later sold for $5 million in 2017.
McEntire has also ventured into business, including her Reba-branded clothing line and a restaurant chain, further contributing to her financial success.
