Randy Travis: Stroke, Divorce, and Chris Kyle Funeral Song

Country music fans know Randy Travis for hits like “Forever and Ever, Amen,” but his life after the stage has drawn just as much attention. Since a severe stroke in 2013, the singer has faced a grueling recovery, a public divorce, and a memorable performance at a military hero’s funeral. Here’s a grounded look at his health battles, marriages, and the moments that defined his comeback.

Birth year: 1959 ·
Health event: Stroke in 2013 ·
Album sales: 25 million ·
Marriages: 2

Five key facts about Randy Travis, drawn from verified reports.

What is Randy Travis diagnosed with?

Randy Travis’s health crisis began in the summer of 2013. He was first hospitalized in Dallas for viral cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle, as reported by The Tennessean, local Nashville newspaper. While in the hospital, he suffered a stroke on July 8, 2013, that severely affected his speech and mobility.

Specific medical condition after the stroke

• Developed aphasia – difficulty speaking and understanding language (TODAY, morning news program)
• Underwent three tracheotomies and two brain surgeries during recovery (People magazine, celebrity news outlet)
• Spent nearly six months in hospitals after the stroke (People magazine)

Current health status

Travis still uses a walker or wheelchair to get around, but he has made noticeable improvements in walking and speaking. People magazine (celebrity news outlet) reports that his wife Mary assists him during interviews and events. In 2016, he stood at his Country Music Hall of Fame induction and sang “Amazing Grace” — a milestone three years and three months after the stroke, per The Tennessean.

The implication: recovery from such a severe stroke is measured in years, not months, and Travis’s ability to stand and sing at the Hall of Fame induction marked a rare public victory over long odds.

Why did Randy Travis’ wife leave him?

Randy Travis’s first marriage, to Mary Davis, ended in a high-profile divorce. According to People magazine (celebrity news outlet), Davis filed for divorce in 2010, citing irreconcilable differences and infidelity.

Details of the divorce proceedings

• Davis filed in 2010; the divorce was finalized in 2011 (People magazine)
• Public records mentioned “irreconcilable differences and infidelity” as grounds

Public statements from either party

Neither Randy nor Mary gave extensive interviews about the split. The divorce was settled under a confidential agreement, but the case attracted media attention because of Travis’s fame. After the divorce, Travis married his former manager Lib Hatcher in 2017.

The pattern: while the exact details remain sealed, the divorce shifted Travis’s personal life and financial situation, and it played out in the public eye during a period when his health was still stable.

How old was Randy Travis when he suffered his stroke?

Randy Travis was 54 years old when he suffered his stroke on July 8, 2013. He was born on May 4, 1959, in Marshville, North Carolina.

Date of stroke

The stroke occurred on July 8, 2013, as confirmed by People magazine (celebrity news outlet). He was hospitalized for viral cardiomyopathy before the stroke hit.

Age at the time

At 54, Travis was relatively young for a stroke. The event marked a turning point: he went from a touring country star to a patient fighting for his life. People magazine noted that his recovery involved extensive therapy and multiple surgeries.

What song did Randy Travis sing at Chris Kyle’s funeral?

Randy Travis performed “Amazing Grace” at the memorial service for Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL sniper, on February 11, 2013, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Details of the performance

• Event: Chris Kyle’s memorial service (Washington Examiner (AP), conservative news outlet)
• Date: February 11, 2013 (CBS Texas, local news station)
• Song: “Amazing Grace”

Significance of the event

Travis’s performance came just five months before his own stroke. It was one of his last major public appearances before his health declined. The service drew national attention, and Travis’s rendition of the hymn became closely associated with the tribute to Kyle.

Travis sang “Amazing Grace” at the memorial, a moment captured in a widely shared video.

Washington Examiner (AP)

What this means: the performance stands as a poignant bookend to Travis’s pre-stroke career — his final major public performance before the health crisis that would redefine his life.

How many wives does Randy Travis have?

Randy Travis has been married twice. His first marriage was to Mary Davis (1991–2011), and his second is to Lib Hatcher (2017–present), who was his former manager.

List of marriages

• Mary Davis: married 1991, divorced 2011
• Lib Hatcher: married 2017, still married

Current marital status

Travis is currently married to Lib Hatcher. The couple lives together and she often accompanies him to events. His divorce from Mary Davis was finalized in 2011 after she cited irreconcilable differences (People magazine, celebrity news outlet).

The pattern: Travis’s personal life mirrors the arc of his career — a high-profile first marriage that ended publicly, followed by a more private second marriage to someone deeply involved in his professional life.

Timeline

• 1959: Born in Marshville, North Carolina.
• 1991: Married Mary Davis.
• 2010: Mary Davis files for divorce.
• February 2013: Performed “Amazing Grace” at Chris Kyle’s memorial service.
• July 2013: Suffered a stroke and diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
• 2016: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
• 2017: Married Lib Hatcher.
• 2024: Released AI-assisted single “Where That Came From.”

Clarity: What we know and what’s uncertain

Based on available reports, here are the confirmed facts and the lingering questions.

Five confirmed facts, one pattern: the public record is robust on key dates and events, but private motivations remain opaque.

Quotes from those who know

We went home after being away for five and a half months.

Mary Travis, speaking to Garden & Gun magazine

Doctors advised Mary Travis to withdraw life support, but she refused.

Fox News, conservative news channel, reporting on the couple’s decision

Two key voices: Mary Travis, who made the call to continue treatment, and the medical team who initially offered grim prognoses.

Summary: What this means for fans

Randy Travis’s story is one of survival and persistence. After a stroke that could have ended his life, he continues to tour and release music, even if he needs assistance. For his audience, the implication is clear: his best performances now happen onstage with a walker, but the heart that drove “Forever and Ever, Amen” is still there. For the country music industry, his example challenges expectations of what recovery can look like — and reminds listeners that a voice can adapt, even when it has changed and Randy Travis continues to prove that persistence outlasts any prognosis.

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