Kris Kristofferson’s 8 Children: All About the Late Country Singer’s Sons and Daughters

Kris Kristofferson raised eight kids — Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, Johnny, Kelly Marie and Blake — before his death on Sept. 28

Kris Kristofferson was surrounded by a lot of love — and talent! — during his life thanks to his eight kids: Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, Johnny, Kelly Marie and Blake.

The beloved singer-songwriter, who died “peacefully” at home on Sept. 28 at age 88, shared daughter Tracy and son Kris Jr. with his former high school sweetheart, Frances Beer. Following their divorce, Kris fell in love with singer Rita Coolidge. During their seven-year marriage, they welcomed a daughter named Casey. In 1983, Kris married celebrity hairstylist Lisa Meyers. The pair welcomed daughter Kelly Marie and sons Jesse, Jody, Johnny and Blake during their 41-year marriage.

In 2021, Kris, who suffered from memory loss, announced his retirement from country music. It was revealed that his son Johnny, who holds a law degree from Pepperdine University, would take over the family’s business in partnership with Morris Higham Management.

“It’s been amazing to dig into my dad’s catalog and history with this seasoned group of professionals … I can’t imagine a better partnership to bring the full depth of his songwriting to a new generation,” Johnny said in a press release obtained by PEOPLE. “The name has always been synonymous with songwriting as an art, and we’re excited to reintroduce his work to new and old fans alike.”

Kris Kristofferson with kids Jesse and Tracy — Kris Kristofferson (center) with his son and daughter.Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage

Kris was surrounded by family when he died at his home in Maui on Sept. 28, a representative for the country star told PEOPLE.

His family also shared a statement, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Here’s everything to know about Kris Kristofferson’s eight children: Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, Johnny, Kelly Marie and Blake.

Tracy Kristofferson, 62

Tracy Kristofferson, Kris Kristofferson — Tracy Kristofferson and Kris Kristofferson in March 2015.Leon Bennett/WireImage

Tracy was born on Jan. 9, 1962. She is the oldest of the Kristofferson children and Kris’ first child from his marriage to high school sweetheart Frances Beer.

While a student at Stanford University, Tracy was in a dangerous high-speed motorcycle incident with five-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden. She sustained a serious head injury, resulting in Kris canceling his concert in Sweden so he could rush home to be by her side. ”My daughters mean everything in the world to me,” Kris told The New York Times at the time.

Tracy made a full recovery, graduated from college, and went on to have a career in Hollywood. She made her acting debut in 1985’s Trouble in Mind, which led her to star in 1990’s Night of the Cyclone and A Place to Grow in 1995. That same year she was credited as associate producer for the film Pharaoh’s Army.

She shares one child with actor Richard Tyson, whom she divorced in 2017.

Kris Kristofferson Jr., 56

Kris Kristofferson and Kris Kristofferson JR — Kris Kristofferson and Kris Kristofferson Jr. 1990.Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty

Kris and Frances’ second child, a son named Kris Jr., was born on Jan. 20, 1968 — a year before the pair split. Despite inheriting one of the most famous monikers in country music, Kris Jr. has lived a relatively private life.

Casey Kristofferson, 50

Born on March 21, 1974, Casey is the daughter of seventies singer Rita Coolidge. Coolidge met Kris on a plane ride from Los Angeles to Memphis in 1971 and was instantly smitten by the country artist. The pair collaborated on a number of projects together up until their divorce in 1980.

“I like to say that it was ‘love at first flight,’ ” Coolidge recalled to PEOPLE. “Before we went to sleep that night we’d picked out a name for our first child. There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to be together.”

Despite having grown up on the road with her famous parents, Casey was in no rush to see her own name on the marquee. She performed with the Asheville Ballet before opening her own dance school at Black Mountain Center for the Arts in North Carolina.

“After being raised on the road, I have always avoided the spotlight. I gravitated more towards the punk rock scene, classical ballet, and music. Almost anything to not be recognized just for my name,” she said in an Asheville Movies interview.

In 2019, the Casey Kristofferson Band was formed and they released their debut record, Dirty Feet. The album, which was predominantly written by Casey, features a cover of Kris’ 1971 hit, “Me and Bobby McGee.”

“When the kids were little and I was dancing I didn’t have a lot of time to do music,” she told Black Mountain News in 2019. “One of my daughters has now graduated from college and my other two are 14 and 11, so I have a little more wiggle room.”

Casey shares three daughters with her ex-husband.

Jesse Kristofferson, 41

Jesse Kristofferson, musician Kris Kristofferson — Jesse Kristofferson and Kris Kristofferson.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Jesse was born on Oct. 7, 1983, and is the first child Kris welcomed with wife Lisa Meyers. He briefly dabbled as an actor, landing roles on Planet of the Apes (2001), the 2010 TV series Gigantic and Bloodline (2013). However, he’s most notably known for starring as Neil Hultgrin on Days of Our Lives. Since leaving Hollywood in 2013, Jesse has recused from the limelight.

Jody Kristofferson, 39

Jody was born on May 21, 1985. While he didn’t catch the acting or singing bug like some of his siblings, he did inherit his father’s natural stage presence. Jody was a professional wrestler for the WWE.

He fought in the WWE under the ring name Jody Reese and has since retired from the sport.

Johnny Kristofferson

Kris and Lisa welcomed their third son, Johnny, in 1988. Johnny earned a law degree from Pepperdine University, which also happens to be his mother’s alma mater. He took over the family business following Kris’ retirement from music in 2021.

Kelly Marie Kristofferson, 33

Kelly Kristofferson in 2016.Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns

Born on Nov. 1, 1990, Kelly Marie is Kris and Lisa’s only daughter. She has carved a name out for herself as both an actress and musician. She’s appeared in 2016’s Traded and the 2017 short Pimp My Life. Kelly Marie is also set to produce and star in the forthcoming crime drama Little Lamb.

In 2013, she showed off her singing chops while singing alongside Kris at the Magnolia Fest in Florida. The pair performed a father-daughter rendition of his song “The Wonder.”

She is married to painter Aydin Hanami, whom she wed in 2018.

Blake Kristofferson, 30

Kris’ youngest son, Blake, was born on July 27, 1994. Following in his big brother’s footsteps, Blake studied at Pepperdine University. Like some of his siblings, Blake has fostered a life out of the spotlight.

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