5 Shocking Revelations About Kelly Clarkson's Ex-Husband: Did Brandon Blackstock Pass Away?

The long-running public saga surrounding Kelly Clarkson and her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, came to a tragic and definitive end with the shocking news of his passing. As of today, December 10, 2025, the question of "Did Kelly Clarkson's husband pass away?" now has a concrete, heartbreaking answer that has stunned fans and the entertainment industry alike. Blackstock, a well-known talent manager and father of four, passed away at the age of 48 after a private, three-year battle with cancer, bringing a somber finality to one of Hollywood's most contentious divorces.

This news, confirmed by Blackstock's family, provides the most current update on the man who was once Clarkson's manager and partner for nearly a decade. While their divorce was finalized in 2022 after a lengthy legal battle, his death in August 2025 closed the chapter on their complex relationship, leaving behind two young children and a legacy in the music and rodeo industries. The details surrounding his private health struggle and the finality of his estate have only recently come to light.

Brandon Blackstock: Full Biography and Career Profile

Before his high-profile marriage to pop superstar Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock was an established figure in the music industry, known for his work as a talent manager and producer. His life was deeply rooted in the world of country music, a fact that would eventually connect him to Clarkson.

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• Full Name: Narvel Brandon Blackstock
• Date of Birth: December 16, 1976
• Place of Birth: Fort Worth, Texas
• Parents: Narvel Blackstock (Father, music manager) and Elisa Gayle Ritter (Mother)
• Stepmother: Country music icon Reba McEntire, whom his father married in 1989.
• Career: Talent Manager and Television Producer. He began his career at Starstruck Management Group, a firm founded by his father, Narvel Blackstock.
• Notable Clients: His client list included major country stars, most notably Blake Shelton and, later, Kelly Clarkson.
• First Marriage: He was previously married to Melissa Ashworth, with whom he shares two children.
• Children: He is survived by four children: Savannah Blackstock and Seth Blackstock (from his first marriage), and River Rose Blackstock and Remington Alexander Blackstock (with Kelly Clarkson).

Blackstock's professional life was intertwined with Clarkson's, as he managed her career for a time, a dynamic that added layers of complexity to their eventual divorce proceedings. His background ensured he was no stranger to the spotlight, even if he preferred a more private life, particularly after his marriage to one of the world's most recognizable singers.

The Tragic End: Brandon Blackstock's Death and The Cause

The news that Brandon Blackstock had passed away in August 2025 sent shockwaves through the celebrity world, largely because his three-year health battle had been kept almost entirely private. The official confirmation provided a clear answer to the long-whispered questions about his well-being.

A Private Battle with Melanoma

Blackstock died at the age of 48 after what his family described as a courageous three-year battle with cancer. The specific diagnosis was melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. His passing, which occurred peacefully, was announced by his family, who requested privacy during their time of grief.

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The timing of the public announcement, which followed a period of intense media scrutiny over his financial and legal disputes with Clarkson, highlighted the private struggle he had been enduring out of the public eye. The revelation of his illness reframed many of the public narratives surrounding his life post-divorce.

Kelly Clarkson's Reaction to the Loss

Following the death of her ex-husband, Kelly Clarkson maintained a notably private stance on social media. While she had been very open about the pain and difficulty of their divorce—even channeling her emotions into her album Chemistry—her public silence regarding his death was a sign of respect for the family's privacy and the gravity of the situation. She eventually broke her silence, expressing condolences and focusing on the well-being of their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander. This move marked the end of the public acrimony that had defined their relationship for the past few years.

For Clarkson, the loss was undoubtedly complicated. Despite the contentious split, they shared a history and, more importantly, two children. The sudden finality of his passing means the co-parenting dynamic has shifted irreversibly, leaving her to navigate the grief with their young children while managing her demanding career on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

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Inside The "Extraordinarily Hard" Divorce and Financial Settlement

Brandon Blackstock's passing occurred years after his tumultuous separation from Kelly Clarkson, a divorce that became one of the most talked-about celebrity splits in recent history. The legal battles were lengthy, expensive, and emotionally taxing for both parties, particularly Clarkson, who referred to the process as "extraordinarily hard."

The High-Stakes Financial Battle

The divorce proceedings, which began in 2020 and were finalized in 2022, involved significant financial disputes. Key aspects of the final settlement included:

• Spousal Support: Clarkson was ordered to pay Blackstock a substantial amount of spousal support, totaling $115,000 per month. This payment obligation was scheduled to continue through January 2024. This means the payments had already concluded months before his death, a fact that simplifies the finality of their financial ties.
• Child Support: Clarkson was granted primary physical custody of their two children, River Rose and Remington Alexander, and was also required to pay child support.
• The Montana Ranch: A major point of contention was the former couple's sprawling ranch in Montana. Blackstock was allowed to reside on the property until June 2022, but the property ultimately remained in Clarkson's possession.

The costs of the divorce were staggering, with reports indicating Clarkson had spent over $5 million in legal fees and support payments by early 2024. The contentious nature of the split, which involved disputes over the validity of their prenuptial agreement, was a major source of stress for the singer, inspiring much of the emotional content in her music released during that period.

Brandon Blackstock's Post-Divorce Life and Legacy

In the time between the finalization of his divorce from Kelly Clarkson and his death in August 2025, Brandon Blackstock had begun to rebuild his life away from the Hollywood spotlight. He relocated to the Montana ranch, embracing a passion that was separate from the music industry.

A New Chapter in Montana

After the divorce, Blackstock fully immersed himself in his new life in Bozeman, Montana. His obituary revealed that he had found a "loving partner" and was in a happy relationship prior to his passing. This detail indicated he had found peace and a new beginning outside of his marriage to Clarkson.

Furthermore, his legacy in Montana is tied to his passion for the Western lifestyle. He established The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, an endeavor that reflected his deep connection to the ranching and rodeo community. This career shift from high-stakes talent management to the more grounded world of rodeo management provided him with a new identity and purpose.

The final chapter of Brandon Blackstock's life, though tragically cut short by cancer, was one of transformation and a return to privacy. For Kelly Clarkson, the death of her ex-husband closes the book on a difficult period in her life, allowing her to focus entirely on her children and her career, albeit with the somber knowledge of the father of her children's passing.