> At a Glance
> – Kris Kristofferson died peacefully at home on September 28 at age 88
> – He left behind eight children from three marriages spanning six decades
> – Johnny Kristofferson, a Pepperdine-educated lawyer, now manages the family’s musical estate
> Why it matters: The country icon’s sprawling family reflects a life lived across music, film, and fatherhood-each child charting a distinct path shaped by his influence.
Kris Kristofferson’s final bow came surrounded by family in Maui, closing a life that produced eight children, five decades of songwriting, and a legacy now stewarded by the next generation.
The Three Families Behind the Legend
From a high-school romance to two decades with a Hollywood hairstylist, Kristofferson’s personal life unfolded in chapters that mirrored his touring schedule.
- Frances Beer (1960-1969): college sweetheart, gave him Tracy (1962) and Kris Jr. (1968)
- Rita Coolidge (1973-1980): Grammy-winning duet partner, mother of Casey (1974)
- Lisa Meyers (1983-present): 41-year marriage that added Jesse (1983), Jody (1985), Johnny (1988), Kelly Marie (1990), and Blake (1994)
What Each Child Is Doing Now
Tracy Kristofferson, 64
Survived a near-fatal motorcycle crash at Stanford, then produced indie films and raised one son.
Kris Kristofferson Jr., 57
Bears his father’s name but has spent most of his adult life outside the public eye.
Casey Kristofferson, 51
Swapped touring buses for ballet slippers-opened a dance school in North Carolina before launching the Casey Kristofferson Band and releasing Dirty Feet in 2019.
Jesse Kristofferson, 42
Left acting after roles in Planet of the Apes (2001) and Days of Our Lives to live privately.
Jody Kristofferson, 40
Traded songwriting for suplexes, wrestling in WWE as Jody Reese before retiring from the ring.
Johnny Kristofferson
After earning his law degree from Pepperdine, he stepped in to oversee licensing and catalog management when Kris retired in 2021.
> “We’re excited to reintroduce his work to new and old fans alike,” Johnny said about partnering with Morris Higham Management.
Kelly Marie Kristofferson, 35
Acts (Traded, Little Lamb), sings, and in 2013 duetted with her dad on “The Wonder” at Magnolia Fest.
Blake Kristofferson, 31
Also attended Pepperdine and, like several siblings, keeps a low profile.
Key Takeaways
- Eight children across three marriages give Kris Kristofferson a sprawling, multi-generational legacy
- Johnny Kristofferson now controls the music catalog, ensuring royalty streams and future releases
- Despite health struggles that led to retirement in 2021, Kristofferson died at home with family present
A rainbow, his family suggests, is now their signal that the “Me and Bobby McGee” writer is still smiling down.
