Legendary actor and country music icon Kris Kristofferson passed away on September 28 at the age of 88, leaving behind a remarkable legacy both in his career and personal life. Central to his life story is the enduring love he shared with his wife of 41 years, Lisa Meyers.
For Kristofferson, the third time was the charm. After two previous marriages, the A Star Is Born actor found lasting happiness with Meyers, a law student at Pepperdine University, whom he met in 1982. Their love story began in an unexpected place—a gym in Malibu—where Kristofferson, already a major figure in the entertainment world, made the first move by asking to borrow a piece of equipment. What may have seemed like a casual interaction turned into a life-changing moment for the country legend.
Kristofferson and Meyers married in February 1983 and went on to build a large, loving family. Together, they welcomed five children: Jesse, 40; Jody, 39; Johnny, 36; Kelly, 34; and Blake, 30. Reflecting on his marriage and family life in a 1998 interview with PEOPLE, Kristofferson revealed how his perspective on relationships had shifted after meeting Meyers. “At the time, I was gun-shy about any relationship heavier than a one-night stand,” he admitted. However, as his family grew, he said he realized, “Wake up, man. This is what really matters.”
The couple made Hawaii their home, where they found a peaceful existence away from the spotlight. Kristofferson often spoke fondly of the move, calling it “the best move I ever made.” In a 2015 interview with Las Vegas Magazine, he shared how simple moments, like daily walks with Meyers, became a treasured part of their life together.
As Kristofferson’s health began to decline in his later years—he was diagnosed with Lyme disease after initially being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and fibromyalgia—Meyers stood by his side as his strongest advocate. She was open about his struggles but found humor and light in their journey together. “We understand Kris’ deficits in spatial awareness and short-term memory loss, and we laugh about it all the time,” she told HuffPost in 2016. “The more we can get Kris to laugh, the healthier he is.”
In his final days, Kristofferson was surrounded by his family at their home in Maui. His passing was peaceful, with his loved ones at his side, a representative for the family confirmed. He is survived by Meyers, their five children, and three children from his previous marriages: Tracy, 62; Kris Jr., 56; and Casey, 50.
In a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE, the Kristofferson family said, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home. 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.”
Kristofferson’s legacy as a trailblazing musician and actor will live on, but perhaps his greatest achievement was the love and family he cherished with Meyers by his side. As he once said in an interview with NPR, “I feel nothing but gratitude for being this old and still above ground, living with the people I love.”
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