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Kris Kristofferson’s ex-wife, Rita Coolidge – what she looks like today at 79

The passing of Kris Kristofferson has been a heartbreaking incident for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. One of the people affected by this news is Rita Coolidge, the actor’s ex-wife.

Keep reading to know more about what she has been up to recently.

Rita Coolidge was a massive music icon in the 1970s. Later on, she was mostly in the news due to her personal life. Now, the singer is in her late 70s and fans are impressed with how well she has held up.

She began her journey to stardom in the 1960s when she moved to Memphis and started working as a backup vocalist for Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Her exceptional voice quickly helped her to perform with some of the biggest names in the industry at the time, including Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Stephen Stills.

Rita Coolidge hugs Kris Kristofferson as they pose for a picture.
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After she relocated to Los Angeles, she became incredibly sought after. She entered into a contract with A&M Records and released a self-titled debut album in 1971.

While her album was not a commercial success, it did garner some respect for her in the industry. Her career was given another major boost after she married country singer Kris Kristofferson in 1973.

The pair became an incredibly noticeable couple in the music world and took their joint talent to both the studio and the stage. Their collaboration ended up winning them two Grammys for “From the Bottle to the Bottom” in 1974 and “Lover Please” in 1976.

Kris Kristofferson poses for a camera.
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While their professional collaboration was fruitful, the couple faced many challenges in their personal lives. Coolidge later reflected about how she never wanted to paint the country singer in a negative light but the circumstances the two of them faced in their marriage were intense.

The couple first met on a plane ride from Los Angeles to Memphis in 1971, Kristofferson humorously described the meeting as “love at first flight”

Kristofferson was headed to Nashville for a business engagement but abandoned his own plans to go off with Coolidge. “Before we went to sleep that night we’d picked out a name for our first child. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to be together,” she recalled.

Kris Kristofferson poses for a camera.
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Apart from their explosive personal chemistry, the couple made magic professionally, and Coolidge and Kristofferson captivated audiences with their music.

When Kristofferson’s acting career began to take off, people accused Coolidge of hitching herself to him to get a chance at professional success. She firmly denied these allegations, reminding people that, “When Kris and I were doing concerts, he didn’t have hit records. I did. We were equal in our jobs and in our relationship.”

Coolidge spoke candidly about the effect Kristofferson’s acting career had on the. She said he kept receiving movie offers, which kept him away from the recording studio.

Rita Coolidge poses for a camera on a red carpet.
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She also revealed that Kristofferson was emotionally abusive and belittled her talent. She said, “He might feel that I was abusive to him. I don’t think I was. It was not all the time. It was just enough that I cried every day, and that’s not a good way to live.”

During their time together, the couple welcomed a daughter together who they named Casey. Later, they lose their second child which put a lot of strain on their relationship.

By 1980, their marriage had reached its breaking point, which led to their divorce. Coolidge decided to focus on her own career and not ask for a settlement so she could move on more easily.

Rita Coolidge poses for a camera on a red carpet.
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“I didn’t feel I was doing her any favors by going the distance when clearly her parents were not in harmony,” Coolidge said of it. Despite the misgivings, the couple shared a special relationship even after their divorce.

Reflecting on their connection in 2016, she said, “Kris and I have a connection and we laugh at stuff that nobody else gets. We just have a bond that is beyond any kind of understanding.” When asked if they would ever perform together again, she smiled and replied, “Never say never.”

Kristofferson passed away on September 28, 2024, at the age of 88. He was surrounded by family at his home in Maui at the time of his death. His family released a statement after his death, revealing that he had passed away peacefully.

“We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all,” the statement said.

As for Rita Coolidge, she has also been doing well. In recent years, fans have marveled at how well she has maintained herself. Her social media is filled with comments from fans, who often comment on how great she looks.

“You look great!” one fan commented on her picture media. The singer was also touring well into her 60s. “You are such a talent and a beautiful lady,” another wrote. A third chimed in saying, “Rita looks great!”

She truly looks wonderful. We are sending her our best as she deals with the grief of losing her ex-husband and the father of her children. Are you surprised at how Rita Coolidge looks now? Let us know in the comments.

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Alec and Hilaria Baldwin faced backlash after having seventh child

Expanding your family as a parent is always a sweet feeling especially if it is with someone you love and are on the same page with.

Alec Baldwin married his wife Hilaria in 2012 and the two of them have been expanding their family together ever since…

Alec Baldwin met his wife Hilaria Baldwin in 2011 and married her the subsequent year, 2012.

The couple wasted no time in starting a family, welcoming their first child in 2013. They then had four more children together before adding a sixth child via a surrogate.

In April 2021, they shared the news that they were expecting their seventh child together – people were ecstatic for the couple, and happy that they were continuing to grow their wonderful family.

Hilaria excitedly shared the news about her daughter’s arrival on her Instagram account. She posted a selection of pictures and videos to her page, along with the caption: “She’s here! We are so excited to introduce you to our tiny dream come true, ilaria catalina irena”.

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin faced backlash after having seventh child

This is Alec Baldwin’s eighth child in total, but his seventh child with current wife Hilaria. He shares his oldest daughter, Ireland Baldwin, with his ex-wife Kim Basinger.

In the aforementioned Instagram post, Hilaria offered some details about the latest addition to her and Alec’s family. She wrote that their daughter was born on September 22, 2022, weighing 6 lbs. and 13 ounces. She added: “Both she and I are happy and healthy.”

She then made another post expressing how excited the rest of her children are about the newest addition to their family, writing: “Her Baldwinito siblings are spending the day bonding and welcoming her into our home.”

She concluded the caption with: “Much love to you all. We are so happy to celebrate this wonderful news with you.”

The couple released an official birth announcement via People Magazine, reading: “How grateful we feel to welcome our newest little daughter into this world. Just as magical and filled with love as every other little person we have been blessed with.”

While the couple naturally adore their family, Hilaria Baldwin recently shared that not everyone understands their reasoning behind it being so… well, big. In a recent post she wrote: “7th baby: when people ask or comment, we often go to silly and very self-deprecating jokes on my part. I love to laugh at myself—so it’s all good…keeps me sane. All jokes aside, however, I am grateful for this experience.”

She explained her thinking further, stating: “I know too well the joys and the losses, the beauty and the heartache, that motherhood brings. I have learned to respect and embrace the wonderful, the hard, the uncomfortable, the magical, and the unknown of this incredible process I am so blessed to experience again and again.”

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The couple is clearly happy with their family and are practically glowing at their latest addition – but not everyone congratulated them. In fact, certain individuals had a lot to say about their newborn’s name: Ilaria Catalina Irena Baldwin.

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin are known for selecting unique names for their children, often with Spanish origins. However, after the revelation that Hilaria isn’t of Spanish descent – and the accompanying controversy surrounding her alleged use of a fake Spanish accent and misrepresentation of her heritage in 2020 – people were taken aback by the name they gave to their seventh child.

“Her blatant trying to be Spanish is really quite irritating, why is it okay? Why does she keep trying? Have they really let it go to their heads that much,” someone wrote.

Another person wrote on Twitter: “Fake Spanish name from Boston-born mom,” while a second echoed: “Hilaria & Alec Baldwin had their 7th child. Not one American name, not even a middle name.”

A third said: “Alec Baldwin’s wife faking being Spanish is so crazy. Changing her name from Hillary to Hilaria, naming all 7 of their kids with those roots, pretending to forget the english word for ‘cucumber’, faking an accent. She should’ve changed her name to hilarious instead.”

However, some people pointed out that Ilaria is actually Italian for “Hilary.” It means cheerful, and was one of the more popular Italian girl names in 2006.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments:

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A Firefighter’s Heartfelt Connection with a Single Mom’s Son

While working a busy Halloween shift at a diner, a single mom brought her four-year-old son, Micah, along after her babysitter canceled. Dressed in a firefighter costume, Micah sat in a booth with crayons and a grilled cheese sandwich.

But during the dinner rush, the mother noticed Micah was missing. Panicked, she searched the diner and found him in the kitchen, talking to a real firefighter.

Micah, too young to grasp the full story, was telling the firefighter about his dad—a firefighter who had died the previous year while saving lives. The man listened intently before asking Micah his father’s name.

Upon hearing it, the firefighter was moved to tears, realizing that Micah’s dad had been his friend and colleague. He pulled a small, worn silver badge from his pocket—one that Micah’s father had once given him for good luck—and handed it to Micah, passing on a piece of his father’s legacy.

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This emotional encounter reminded the mother that even though her husband was gone, his memory and the bonds he created lived on. She felt comforted knowing that people like this kind firefighter continued to honor her husband’s legacy and would be there for her and Micah.

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Before and after photos of Jamie Wilson’s female-to-male transition

The process of transitioning from one gender to another is personal, but it can also be challenging, requiring strength, determination, and the ability to challenge stereotypes.

Although societies are becoming more accepting of people who transition, these issues remain taboo in many countries. This makes life difficult for transgender individuals.

Jamie Wilson is a transgender musician whose life serves as inspiration for many people who consider going through what he had gone – transition from female to male.

Wilson, who is a well-known name within the transgender community, not only shares his life story but also photos of himself showing the process of his transition.

“When I came out, people refused to believe I was a man because I had looked feminine for 18 years,” he said.

He started his transition by cutting his hair short and wearing men clothes. Later, he had started testosterone therapy, which takes around one to two years for the results to show. A complete change, however, may require up to five years.

“At first I was scared to come out as transgender because I didn’t give any ‘signs’ as people say.

“I looked and presented very feminine. Not because I wanted to but because I felt pressured to make the people around me happy.”

“When I first came out people tried telling me ‘this is not who you are’ that’s when I realized you are NOT who people think you are…you are who you KNOW you are,” he said.

Wilson’s transition took time, but it also took certain toll, including losing some of his family and friends who didn’t support his decision.

Except for the hormone treatment, some individuals opt for a surgery.

According to UCSF, many of the effects of hormone therapy are reversable if the therapy is stopped. This, however, isn’t the case with the surgeries, which are permanent.

This is why it is of crucial importance to talk to medical professionals about all the risks and get informed about every aspect of the transition process before undergoing one.

Addressing his followers on the social media, Wilson says that “Not everyone has to show ‘signs’ to be transgender. You don’t have to pass a test to prove you’re trans…”

He adds: “And you sure as hell don’t need ANYONE’S approval but your own.”

James Wilson’s transition and his self-confidence are truly remarkable.

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