Reba McEntire announced her engagement to Rex Linn during the Emmy Awards red carpet Sunday, September 14, marking her third engagement following two previous marriages. The country music star confirmed the news during an E! News interview when a reporter referred to Linn as her "fiancé."
McEntire's representative confirmed the engagement to Page Six. The couple has been dating since January 2020, with McEntire, 70, and Linn, 68, meeting decades earlier on a television movie set.
McEntire's first marriage was to steer wrestling champion and rancher Charlie Battles. The couple married in 1976 when McEntire was beginning her country music career. The marriage lasted 11 years before ending in divorce in 1987.
Also read: Emmy Awards 2025: When and where to watch the glamorous night tonight? Time, TV and streaming options
During this period, McEntire established herself in the country music industry while navigating the challenges of balancing her career with married life to Battles, who worked in rodeo and ranching.
The couple had one child together, son Shelby, who is now 35 years old. McEntire and Blackstock's marriage lasted 26 years before they divorced in 2015, ending both their personal and professional partnership.
McEntire and Linn first met on the set of the 1980 TV movie "The Gambler," where they became friends before beginning their romantic relationship 40 years later. The couple started dating in January 2020.
During a 2023 interview with Page Six, McEntire discussed the possibility of marriage with Linn. "I said [to him], 'If you want to that's fine with me.' I've been married twice, he's never been married so if he wants to that's up to him," she said at the Bring Change to Mind's 11th Annual Revels & Revelations Gala.
McEntire described their relationship dynamic in the same interview. "He makes me laugh all the time," she shared. "That's the best thing about our relationship. We make each other laugh."
"We say how dorky we both are and we have fun … We like each other and we love each other," she added.
Also read: Emmy Awards 2025: 'The Studio' breaks record for comedy Emmys, 'Adolescence' and 'Severance' score big; ch
The country star presented the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and wore a black ring on her left ring finger during the ceremony. When asked about the engagement during the red carpet interview, McEntire responded, "We're having a blast on 'Happy's Place' and so glad to be here tonight."
This engagement marks Linn's first marriage, while McEntire enters her third marriage after her previous relationships with Battles and Blackstock.
Add Now!
McEntire's representative confirmed the engagement to Page Six. The couple has been dating since January 2020, with McEntire, 70, and Linn, 68, meeting decades earlier on a television movie set.
McEntire's first marriage was to steer wrestling champion and rancher Charlie Battles. The couple married in 1976 when McEntire was beginning her country music career. The marriage lasted 11 years before ending in divorce in 1987.
Also read: Emmy Awards 2025: When and where to watch the glamorous night tonight? Time, TV and streaming options
During this period, McEntire established herself in the country music industry while navigating the challenges of balancing her career with married life to Battles, who worked in rodeo and ranching.
Second marriage to Narvel Blackstock and family life
McEntire married Narvel Blackstock in 1989, two years after her divorce from Battles. Blackstock served as McEntire's manager throughout their relationship, overseeing her career during some of her most successful years in country music.The couple had one child together, son Shelby, who is now 35 years old. McEntire and Blackstock's marriage lasted 26 years before they divorced in 2015, ending both their personal and professional partnership.
McEntire and Linn first met on the set of the 1980 TV movie "The Gambler," where they became friends before beginning their romantic relationship 40 years later. The couple started dating in January 2020.
During a 2023 interview with Page Six, McEntire discussed the possibility of marriage with Linn. "I said [to him], 'If you want to that's fine with me.' I've been married twice, he's never been married so if he wants to that's up to him," she said at the Bring Change to Mind's 11th Annual Revels & Revelations Gala.
McEntire described their relationship dynamic in the same interview. "He makes me laugh all the time," she shared. "That's the best thing about our relationship. We make each other laugh."
"We say how dorky we both are and we have fun … We like each other and we love each other," she added.
Also read: Emmy Awards 2025: 'The Studio' breaks record for comedy Emmys, 'Adolescence' and 'Severance' score big; ch
Emmy Awards engagement announcement
McEntire confirmed the engagement during the Emmy Awards ceremony, where she participated in the "Golden Girls" 40th anniversary tribute. She performed the show's theme song "Thank You for Being a Friend" alongside Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.The country star presented the award for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and wore a black ring on her left ring finger during the ceremony. When asked about the engagement during the red carpet interview, McEntire responded, "We're having a blast on 'Happy's Place' and so glad to be here tonight."
This engagement marks Linn's first marriage, while McEntire enters her third marriage after her previous relationships with Battles and Blackstock.
Add 
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
