When country music legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette decided to start a relationship, their story began with a dramatic turn. It happened during a heated confrontation with her second husband. Despite the intense circumstances that sparked their romance, Jones and Wynette married soon after. Unfortunately, their love couldn’t withstand the tumultuous beginning. Nevertheless, their names remain forever connected due to the genuine affection they once shared.
Jones was already a well-known performer by the time he met Wynette, who had moved to Nashville with her children, seeking a career in country music. Before this, Wynette had been married at 18 and had three daughters. Her first marriage was struggling, and she eventually left it behind to chase her dreams in Nashville, where she found success. During this period, Jones became a family friend, including to Wynette’s second husband, Don Chapel.
>>READ ALSO: The Story Behind George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s “Near You”
One evening, when Wynette found her daughters sick with food poisoning and alone at home, it was Jones who stepped in to support her. He joined her at the hospital and stayed at her house the next day. This situation led to a confrontation with Chapel, who was furious upon returning home. Jones, deeply affected by the way Chapel spoke to Wynette, expressed his feelings in a dramatic way.
According to his autobiography, ‘I Lived to Tell It All,’ Jones was overwhelmed with rage when Chapel insulted Wynette, which led him to flip a dinner table in frustration. This act of anger was a clear display of his feelings and set the stage for his bold confession to Chapel.
Jones told Chapel that he loved Wynette and was determined to be with her, despite the fact that they had not even gone out together. His confession surprised everyone, but Wynette’s positive response led them to leave together with her daughters. Soon after, she became the third Mrs. George Jones.
>>READ ALSO: How George Jones’ Widow Truly Felt About Tammy Wynette
Their union was the stuff of legends and remains one of the most talked-about stories in country music. The recent Showtime miniseries, George & Tammy, has renewed interest in their story. The series highlights the confrontation between Jones and Chapel and the subsequent departure of Wynette with Jones.
Despite Jones’ known struggles with alcohol, which made their marriage challenging, they continued to have a significant connection. Wynette’s autobiography, Stand By Your Man, described a troubled marriage, including an incident where Jones allegedly chased her around their house with a shotgun while drunk. Though Jones denied this, he admitted that his behavior caused problems.
Even after their divorce, the connection between Jones and Wynette persisted. Rumors about his involvement in her mysterious kidnapping circulated, but they continued to collaborate musically until her death in 1998. Their daughter, Georgette Jones Lennon, reflected on their relationship, sharing that during difficult times, her father was there for her and her sisters, despite his aversion to such situations. Lennon appreciated her father’s support, saying it meant everything to her during those challenging moments.
