The Four Women Who Defined An Outlaw: Willie Nelson's Wives And The Shocking Secrets Of His Marriages

Willie Nelson’s tumultuous, decades-long journey through marriage is as legendary and complex as his music career. The country music icon, known as the face of the Outlaw Country movement, has walked down the aisle four times, resulting in eight children and a lifetime of dramatic stories that have only recently come to light in his later years. As of December 10, 2025, Nelson remains happily married to his fourth wife, Annie D'Angelo, a union that has proven to be his longest and most stable, spanning over three decades. This deep dive explores the four women who stood by the side of the country legend, detailing the highs, lows, and shocking revelations that defined each relationship.

The story of Willie Nelson's love life is a candid reflection of his "On the Road Again" lifestyle, marked by the challenges of fame, relentless touring, and personal indiscretions that ultimately shaped his family and his music. From his first marriage as a teenager to his current enduring partnership, each spouse played a pivotal role in the life of the Red Headed Stranger.

Willie Hugh Nelson: Complete Biography and Family Profile

Willie Hugh Nelson, born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas, is one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in American music. He is a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and activist, whose distinctive voice and unique blend of country, folk, and jazz helped pioneer the "Outlaw Country" sound of the 1970s.

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• Full Name: Willie Hugh Nelson
• Date of Birth: April 29, 1933
• Place of Birth: Abbott, Texas, U.S.
• Parents: Ira D. Nelson and Myrle Marie (née Greenhaw)
• Genre: Country, Outlaw Country, Progressive Country, Folk
• Notable Works: "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "On the Road Again," *Red Headed Stranger* album
• Wives: Martha Matthews, Shirley Collie, Connie Koepke, and Annie D'Angelo (Current)
• Children (8): Lana Nelson, Susie Nelson, Billy Hugh Nelson Jr. (deceased), Renee Barley, Paula Carlene Nelson, Amy Lee Nelson, Lukas Autry Nelson, and Micah Nelson

The Turbulent First Three Marriages: Infidelity and a Hospital Bill

Nelson's path to his current marriage was paved with significant turbulence, with his first three unions ending in divorce, often amidst revelations of infidelity. His early relationships occurred during his formative years as an artist, when he was constantly on the road and struggling to balance his burgeoning career with family life.

Martha Matthews (Wife #1): The Teenage Bride and Early Family Life

Willie Nelson married his first wife, Martha Matthews, in 1952. She was just 16 years old, and Nelson was 19, recently discharged from the Air Force due to back injuries. Their marriage was famously volatile, with Matthews reportedly having a fiery temper that led to physical altercations.

The couple had three children together: daughters Lana Nelson and Susie Nelson, and son Billy Hugh Nelson Jr. (who tragically passed away in 1991). The marriage lasted ten years, ending in divorce in 1962. It was a decade of struggle as Nelson tried to establish himself in the music industry.

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Shirley Collie (Wife #2): The Shocking Discovery That Ended a Marriage

Nelson married his second wife, singer Shirley Collie (also known as Shirley Caddell), in 1963. They were a musical partnership, even recording a duet album together. Their marriage, however, was dramatically cut short in 1971 due to a shocking revelation of Nelson's long-term infidelity.

The story, which Nelson has openly discussed, involves Collie finding a hospital bill for the birth of a baby girl, Renee Barley. The bill listed Nelson as the father and his longtime mistress, Mary Haney, as the mother. The discovery exposed the affair and the existence of his daughter, Renee, who was born in 1953. Collie immediately filed for divorce, marking one of the most legendary and painful breakups in country music history. Shirley Collie passed away in 2010.

Connie Koepke (Wife #3): The Mistress Who Became a Wife

Nelson's third wife, Connie Koepke, was the woman with whom he had been having the affair while married to Shirley Collie. Koepke and Nelson married in 1971, the same year his divorce from Collie was finalized. Their relationship was one of his longest, lasting 17 years until their divorce in 1988.

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They had two daughters, both of whom have followed in their father’s footsteps: Paula Carlene Nelson and Amy Lee Nelson. Paula is an accomplished country music singer, while Amy is a musician and activist. The marriage to Koepke coincided with Nelson's rise to superstardom, particularly during the peak of the Outlaw Country movement alongside artists like Waylon Jennings.

Annie D'Angelo: The Current Wife and Willie Nelson's Longest Union

Willie Nelson’s fourth and current marriage to Annie D'Angelo has proven to be his most enduring, lasting over 30 years and counting. The stability of this relationship came after a long period of personal chaos for the country star, who has often spoken about his regret over the pain his past actions caused.

Meeting on a Film Set

Nelson met Annie D'Angelo while she was working as a makeup artist on the set of his 1986 film, *Stagecoach*. D'Angelo, who also worked on films like *Bachelor Party*, provided Nelson with a much-needed sense of grounding and stability. They began their relationship while Nelson was still married to Connie Koepke, a pattern of overlap that defined his earlier life.

They officially tied the knot on September 16, 1991, in Nashville, Tennessee, three years after his divorce from Koepke. Their longevity is a testament to their deep connection, with Nelson affectionately referring to D'Angelo as his "lover, nurse, and bodyguard."

Their Sons: Lukas and Micah Nelson

Annie D'Angelo and Willie Nelson have two sons, both of whom are highly respected musicians and have toured extensively with their father.

• Lukas Autry Nelson: A talented singer and guitarist, Lukas leads his own band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and is known for his work on the soundtrack for the film *A Star Is Born*.
• Micah Nelson: An artist and musician who performs under the name Particle Kid. Micah is also a member of the band The Flaming Lips.

The success of Lukas and Micah in the music world highlights the continuation of the Nelson family’s musical legacy, a legacy that Annie D'Angelo has helped to foster by providing a stable home life.

The Legacy of Nelson's Family and Outlaw Life

Willie Nelson’s marriages and his eight children are central to his life story, providing a rich, complex backdrop to his musical career. The dramatic details—such as the hospital bill discovery and the subsequent public scandal—are now part of the lore of the *Outlaw Country* movement, a genre defined by breaking the rules.

Today, Nelson's family life, documented in the recent docuseries *Willie Nelson & Family*, shows a man who has found peace and lasting love with Annie D'Angelo. His current wife is often credited with helping him navigate his health, finances, and personal life, proving that even a restless outlaw can eventually find a quiet, enduring harbor. The blended Nelson family, with children and grandchildren from four different relationships, remains a tight-knit unit, united by a love for music and their iconic patriarch.