How Reba McEntire found true love after husband of 26 years divorced her to date her close friend

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Before becoming a famous country singer, Reba McEntire came from a long line of ranchers and rodeo riders. Born in southern Oklahoma, McEntire grew up in a small town called Chockie. She was the middle child with four siblings.

As a result, she said she had to fight for attention and desired it to a large degree, especially from her dad. Sadly, the country artist revealed that her father never told any of his children that he loved them.

'He would tell you in a heartbeat'

The star's older sister described their father as a man who enjoyed being known as a 'great' cowboy. In her opinion: "You didn't have to worry about what was on his mind. He would tell you in a heartbeat. By our standards, they would say he was cruel."

The singer claimed that despite winning awards and championships in the rodeo circuit, singing was always her strongest skill.

When she was five years old, she realized she had a musical talent, and she claimed it attracted a lot of attention.

McEntire, now 68 years old, is hailed as "the Queen of Country," having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.

The talented musician, who recently became the 'Mega Mentor' for 'The Voice' Season 23, was the spouse of TV producer Narvel Blackstock. They divorced in 2015.

Shelby Blackstock is McEntire's only child

Shelby Blackstock is the son of the former couple and McEntire's only child. He has now become a race car driver.

After more than two decades of marriage, McEntire's ex-husband ultimately requested a divorce, taking the 'I'm a Survivor' singer by surprise.

The fact that Narvel began a love engagement with a close friend of McEntire's just served to add insult to injury.

Another buddy of McEntire's explained the toll the break-up took on McEntire. "Narvel was her protector, her business partner and manager, and it was really tough on her...," they said.

McEntire was devastated by Narvel's actions, but she got back up and kept going. In fact, while discussing her feelings following the entire experience, McEntire said she was eager to see what lay ahead for her.

As it turned out, the celebrity's next step was falling in love once more with Rex Linn. Linn is best known for playing Sgt. Frank Tripp in the CBS drama 'CSI: Miami' and more recently for playing Kevin Wachtell in the television series 'Better Call Saul'. 

McEntire admitted that she was not looking for love following her divorce before she met Linn.

However, when she met Linn, she claimed to be overjoyed that he entered her life.

McEntire claimed she knew Linn since 1991

McEntire claimed that she had known Linn since 1991, when the two of them collaborated on 'The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.'

When they reconnected in 2020, Linn popped the question and the two have been going strong ever since, as reported by Amomama.

McEntire shared sweet details about her relationship with Linn in a recent interview, including how she makes him coffee and how he rubs her feet and shoulders. McEntire gushed over Linn as she spoke: "He's the love of my life. We're pretty much inseparable."