"Thank you for raising us in a house filled with Jesus and music," Alexandra wrote in her tribute.
Country star Alan Jackson has a famous song, Livin' on Love and he is truly living on love! He is a proud dad of three daughters, Mattie, Dani, and Alexandra, whom he shares with his wife of four decades, Denise Jackson.
The couple said their vows on December 15, 1979, at the Newman Baptist Church in their hometown, Newnan, Georgia. Six years later, the high school sweethearts relocated to Nashville, where Alan pursued his country music career.
He ultimately signed a recording contract with Arista Records, thanks to his beloved wife, who met guitarist Glen Campbell as a flight attendant and recommended him. The couple soon became parents to their eldest child, Mattie, who was born in June 1990. Their second daughter Alexandra arrived in August 1993, followed by their youngest, Dani, in August 1997.
When their last-born daughter was only a year old in 1998, they briefly separated. The singer admitted he and Denise had married at a young age and were yet to figure themselves out. He told the Boot, "We didn't ever have the chance to fall in love as adults and to learn who you are before making a commitment. I think we lost some of that original feeling. I did anyway."
Alan also had multiple affairs. His wife, Denise told PEOPLE, "his betrayal and our separation...led to us being able to have the kind of marriage that we both always wanted but just didn’t know how to have." The couple renewed their vows on their anniversary in 1998, and have been in a solid union ever since.
As for parenthood, Alan is an attentive father who is there for their daughters. He hopes that his kids view him as a fun dad. He told the Boot, "I talk to them; if they're dating some boy and I want to know what's going on, I'll just ask them. […] I do like to know what's going on because I know what I was like at that age," he once said.
The doting father also gushed about his girls, "I mean, my girls are very sweet; I'm very proud of all of them."When he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in April 2017, his daughter Alexandra wrote a touching tribute honoring his role as a father. She referred to her father as her "best friend" who taught her kindness toward others and independence. As reported by Country Rebel, she said, "You're every daughter's dream father. Thank you for raising us in a house filled with Jesus and music, and always making sure we knew whatever our dream was could be our reality."
The family also faced difficult times together. In September 2018, Mattie sadly lost her husband of eleven months, Ben Selecman. Alan announced the devastating news on Instagram, paying tribute to his late son-in-law. He shared two photos of him and his son-in-law and thanked fans for their words of comfort and for keeping his family in their prayers.
"Ben was a southern boy who loved hunting and fishing and just being outdoors. His childlike enthusiasm for each new day was contagious to everyone around him," wrote Alan, adding, "Ben, we love you. Rest in peace until we see you again."
Mattie was supported by her parents in these testing times. A few years later, now, Mattie has found new love and is happy again. She announced on Instagram in September 2022 that she was engaged to Connor Smith. Recently, Alan and Denise also became grandparents, as their daughter Alexandra and her husband Sam Bradshaw welcomed a baby boy on December 13.
"So happy this little guy has made us grandparents," Alan said.
Alan and Denise have come a long way in their lives. From high school sweethearts to grandparents, they have also overcome all the challenges that have come their way.
References:
https://people.com/celebrity/alan-jacksons-wife-talks-about-forgiving-his-infidelities/
https://theboot.com/alan-jackson-on-being-a-good-father/
https://theboot.com/alan-jackson-wedding/
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Valerie Macon
