Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood: A Love Story Tested By Time

Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood first met in a recording studio, and just like a match made in heaven, the two immediately felt a connection. They became close friends and music collaborators, performing together on the same stage. But it took twelve years before that connection finally turned into an official relationship. Yet despite the long wait, it was all worth it, and ever since then, the couple has been enjoying a life full of love and music. 

You might be asking: Why exactly did it take that long for them to make a move and be with each other if there was already a connection? Journey back with me to 1988, and let’s see how their love story unfolded. 

First Chapter: Instant Connection

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It was 1988. 

At the time, neither Garth Brooks nor Trisha Yearwood was signed with a record label, and they were trying to record demos to promote themselves to different music labels. Although the country music industry was kind of big, it wasn’t like artists wouldn’t bump into each other. 

Soon enough, the two met through songwriter Kent Blazy (who would soon write one of Garth Brooks’ songs titled “If Tomorrow Never Comes”). Brooks impressed Blazy with his musical ability, and so Blazy hired him to record demos of his songs. During that time, Blazy was already working with Yearwood, who happened to be in the studio recording her own music when Brooks came. 

In a later interview, Garth Brooks confessed that meeting Yearwood was strange because it felt like he just met his wife. But at the time, he was already married to Sandy Mahl for 13 months. But the feeling of connection was definitely mutual, although they did not openly speak about it. Because just like Brooks, Yearwood was also married at the time to musician Chris Latham. 

Although a romantic relationship was not something they could really push at the time, the two became friends and soon enough became collaborators. When Brooks made it big, the pair started to tour together just like he had promised with Yearwood opening Brooks’ concert. They also performed several songs together, such as “Like We Never Had A Broken Heart.”

And for years, they remained genuinely good friends who supported each other’s careers. 

Who is Garth Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood?

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Garth Brooks’ spouse Trisha Yearwood was born on September 19, 1964, in Monticello, Georgia to parents Gwendolyn (schoolteacher) and Jack Howard (local banker). At a very early age, Yearwood was already very passionate about music, and she loved to participate in different music events in her school and their community as well. After graduating from high school, she attended Young Harris College for two years and earned herself an associate degree in business. Yearwood also enrolled at the University of Georgia, but after a semester, she dropped out, moved to Nashville, and pursued a music business degree in Belmont College. 

And then, after years of hard work, Yearwood finally released her self-titled debut album in 1991. Her lead single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, which gave her breakthrough success. Since then, Yearwood enjoyed back-to-back success not only with her music but also with the different career directions she took, just like cooking and film. 

Second Chapter: From Longtime Friends to Forever Lovers

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In 2000, Brooks and Mahl decided to divorce after 15 years of marriage. The decision came after Brooks took a break from his career to become a better dad, only to realize that he could no longer be a husband to his wife. The following year, Yearwood also divorced her then second husband, bass player Bobby Reynolds. And just like they say, people who are meant to be will always end up with each other- no matter what happens.

After that, Brooks and Yearwood started quietly dating, but it wasn’t until 2002 that the couple was spotted holding hands in public. According to Garth, it was pretty cool to start dating and get to know who Yearwood was. During that time, he found that everything he would want her to be – she was. And everything that he didn’t know about her was even better than he had hoped.

Three years later, Brooks proposed to Yearwood on stage in front of 7,000 cheering fans. Now the couple is happily married for 15 years (and going 16). Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood do not have children but just being together and breathing the same air is more than enough for them. 

Third Chapter: The Love Advice

Just last May 2021, the lovebirds appeared on the now-canceled The Ellen Show, where they gave love advice to audience members. 

One of the first questions thrown at them was how to set the mood in the bedroom, to which Brooks answered, “Music.” He also added that listening to “one of the best female voices on the planet, a gorgeous blonde named Trisha Yearwood, would definitely set the mood.” And when asked what was the key to a long-lasting marriage, Brooks answered the question by relating it to music. He said, “You gotta treat it [marriage] like a duet. You gotta harmonize. You gotta make your partner feel like a star.”

Being each other’s best friend and married for 15 years, Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood definitely know a thing or two about love, marriage, and the secrets to a healthy, happy life.