Key Takeaways:
- Tammy Wynette and George Jones, the "President and First Lady of Country Music," had a tumultuous marriage that ended in divorce in 1975.
- Despite their divorce, the couple continued to collaborate on music and attempted to rekindle their relationship.
- Georgette Jones, their daughter, believes her mother never stopped loving her father and that he was the love of her life.
- George’s struggles with alcoholism contributed to the end of their marriage.
- The couple’s story has been chronicled in a Showtime miniseries, "George & Tammy," based on Georgette’s book "The Three of Us: Growing Up With Tammy and George."
Introduction to Tammy Wynette and George Jones
Tammy Wynette and George Jones, one of country music’s most iconic couples, may have gotten a divorce, but their love for each other never truly faded away. In a recent interview on the Drifting Cowboys podcast, their daughter Georgette Jones shared some intimate details about her parents’ relationship, revealing that her mother had been sentimental about her ex-husband George just days before she passed away in 1998. According to Georgette, her mother had expressed that she would always love George, and that he was the love of her life. This sentiment is a testament to the enduring power of their love, despite the challenges they faced during their marriage.
The Challenges of Their Marriage
The couple, known as the President and First Lady of Country Music, divorced in 1975 after nearly six years of marriage. During their time together, they released several duets and studio albums, but their relationship was marked by turmoil, largely due to George’s struggles with alcoholism. Georgette noted that her father’s addiction was a significant factor in the end of their marriage, and that it was not a matter of her mother not loving him enough. Rather, it was a complex issue that required George to reach a point of rock bottom before he could begin to make changes. Unfortunately, he was not at that point yet, and the couple ultimately decided to go their separate ways.
Life After Divorce
Despite their divorce, Tammy and George continued to collaborate on music and even attempted to rekindle their romance. Georgette believes that her mother had hoped to use the ultimatum of divorce as a way to push her father to get his life together and overcome his addiction. However, this ultimately did not work, and the couple split for good. They both went on to marry other people, but the love they shared for each other never truly dissipated. Georgette’s insights into her parents’ relationship offer a nuanced understanding of the complexities of their love story, and the ways in which it continued to shape their lives even after they parted ways.
The Legacy of Tammy and George
The story of Tammy and George has been immortalized in a Showtime miniseries, "George & Tammy," which is based on Georgette’s book "The Three of Us: Growing Up With Tammy and George." The show, which stars Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon as the country music icons, chronicles the ups and downs of their relationship and offers a glimpse into the lives of two of country music’s most beloved artists. Through Georgette’s book and the miniseries, fans of Tammy and George can gain a deeper understanding of their love story and the ways in which it continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
Reflections on Their Love Story
Georgette’s reflections on her parents’ relationship offer a poignant reminder of the power of love to endure even in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges they faced, Tammy and George’s love for each other remained a constant presence in their lives, and their legacy continues to inspire new generations of music fans. As Georgette so eloquently put it, her mother never stopped loving her father, and he was the love of her life. This testament to the enduring power of their love serves as a reminder that true love can transcend even the most difficult of circumstances, and that its impact can be felt for years to come.


