Rhett Akins’ Wife Sonya Akins: 5 Surprising Facts About The Country Star’s Private Marriage And Blended Family

As of December 2025, country music powerhouse Rhett Akins remains a staple in Nashville, not just as a singer, but as one of the most successful songwriters in the business. While his career, including his work with the legendary songwriting trio "The Peach Pickers," is an open book, his second marriage to Sonya Akins (née Mansfield) is decidedly more private, a deliberate choice that has piqued the curiosity of fans worldwide. This deep dive reveals the key details about the woman who captured the heart of the *That Ain't My Truck* singer, focusing on their family life and the powerful, yet often unseen, ties that bind the Akins family dynasty. The current dynamic of the Akins household is a beautiful example of a modern, blended family, anchored by Rhett and his wife Sonya. Their relationship, which began after Rhett's divorce from his first wife, Paige Braswell, has brought a new chapter of fatherhood and domestic bliss to the veteran country artist, a story that continues to evolve with their young son and Rhett's famous adult children, Thomas Rhett and Kasey Lee.

Sonya Akins (née Mansfield) Biography & Profile

Sonya Akins, known publicly as the wife of country music star and prolific songwriter Rhett Akins, maintains a notably private life compared to her husband and stepson, Thomas Rhett. Her background and career details are not widely publicized, suggesting a conscious effort to remain out of the intense spotlight of the Nashville music scene. She is a dedicated mother and the cornerstone of the Akins family's current generation.

• Full Name: Sonya Mansfield Akins
• Year of Birth: 1980
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 45 years old
• Marital Status: Married
• Spouse: Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. (Rhett Akins)
• Date of Marriage: September 2017
• Children (with Rhett Akins): Brody James Akins (born March 13, 2020)
• Stepchildren: Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. (Country Singer) and Kasey Lee Akins
• Known Profession: Has not publicly disclosed a specific career, focusing primarily on her family life.
• Residence: Nashville, Tennessee area.

1. The Significant Age Gap and The 2017 Wedding

One of the most frequently searched details about the couple is the age difference between them. Rhett Akins was born in October 1969, while Sonya was born in 1980, making the age gap approximately 11 years. Their relationship became official when they tied the knot in September 2017.

Their wedding was a private affair, consistent with Sonya's preference for privacy, a stark contrast to the very public lives of her husband and stepson. This second marriage for Rhett followed his divorce from his first wife, Paige Braswell, with whom he shares his two older children.

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The marriage to Sonya marked a new, calmer phase in Rhett’s life, which had been dominated by decades of touring and songwriting. It’s clear that Sonya provides a grounding, private anchor for the country music veteran amidst the high-energy world of Nashville's music industry.

2. Sonya is the Mother of Rhett’s Youngest Son, Brody James Akins

Rhett Akins became a father for the third time later in life, an exciting development for the Akins family. Sonya and Rhett welcomed their first child together, a son named Brody James Akins, on March 13, 2020. The birth of Brody James was a major event, not just for the couple, but for the entire extended family, including Rhett's famous son.

The arrival of Brody made Rhett a father again nearly three decades after his first son was born, and it also meant a new sibling for his adult children, Thomas Rhett and Kasey Lee. Brody James Akins is now the youngest member of the Akins clan, a little brother to a Grammy-nominated country superstar.

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This addition cemented Sonya's role within the Akins family, creating a new generation of the country music dynasty. The family often shares glimpses of Brody's life on social media, showcasing the close bond between the half-siblings and their respective parents.

3. Rhett Akins' First Wife and The Blended Family Dynamics

Before his marriage to Sonya, Rhett Akins was married to Paige Braswell. The couple married in 1989 and later divorced. From this first marriage came two children who are now well-known in their own right: Thomas Rhett Akins Jr., the multi-award-winning country artist, and Kasey Lee Akins.

The relationship between Rhett, Sonya, and his ex-wife and adult children appears to be a harmonious blended family. Thomas Rhett, in particular, has a very public, close relationship with his father, often collaborating on songwriting and performing together. The family frequently gathers for holidays and milestones, demonstrating a successful and supportive dynamic between all parties involved, including Thomas Rhett's wife, Lauren Akins, and their children.

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This strong family foundation is a testament to the maturity of Rhett and Sonya, allowing the next generation of the Akins family to thrive in a supportive environment, whether they are pursuing a career in country music or living a more private life.

4. The Confusion with Thomas Rhett's Wife, Lauren Akins

A persistent point of confusion for many country music fans is mistaking Rhett Akins' wife, Sonya, with his daughter-in-law, Lauren Akins. Lauren Akins is the wife of Rhett's son, Thomas Rhett. The two women share the same last name by marriage, but have very distinct public profiles.

• Rhett Akins' Wife: Sonya Akins (née Mansfield) - Private, mother of Brody James.
• Thomas Rhett's Wife: Lauren Akins (née Gregory) - Public figure, author, and humanitarian, mother of four daughters.

This common mix-up highlights the generational shift in the Akins family's public visibility. While Rhett's wife maintains a low profile, Thomas Rhett and Lauren are one of country music's most popular power couples, frequently sharing their lives and family updates with millions of followers. Understanding this distinction is key to accurately following the Akins family narrative.

5. Rhett Akins’ Songwriting Success and $10 Million Net Worth

While Sonya’s personal net worth is not publicly available, her husband's financial success is well-documented and contributes significantly to their family's comfortable lifestyle. Rhett Akins has an estimated net worth of $10 million. This wealth comes not just from his career as a recording artist with hits like *Don't Get Me Started* and *That Ain't My Truck*, but predominantly from his prolific songwriting career.

Rhett is a key member of the renowned songwriting trio, The Peach Pickers, alongside Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Together, they have penned dozens of number one hits for other country stars, solidifying Rhett's legacy as one of Nashville's most influential writers. These hits include:

• *I Don't Want This Night To End* (Luke Bryan)
• *All About Tonight* (Blake Shelton)
• *When She Says Baby* (Jason Aldean)
• *All Over Me* (Josh Turner)

Rhett’s ongoing success as a songwriter, even in December 2025, ensures the family's financial stability. Sonya, as his wife, is a private partner in a very public empire, supporting the continued career that generates the family's wealth and influence in the country music world. Her preference for a life away from the public eye is a quiet balance to the constant demands of the Nashville songwriting machine.